Written Answers of 22 February 1996

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Harrods
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the items that have been purchased by his Department from Harrods store, Knightsbridge, London and the cost price of each item since the establishment of his office. [16153]

  Mr. Willetts
  There have been no purchases by the Cabinet Office, including the Prime Minister's office and the Office of Public Service and its executive agencies, from Harrods since the establishment of the Deputy Prime Minister's office.

  Policy Promotion Costs
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what is the total annual cost of the Government's promotion of each of the policies in each Department. [15315]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  East Timor
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what consideration was given to the issue of human rights in East Timor during his meeting in January with the Indonesian Foreign Minister. [15444]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  The issue did not arise at this meeting. However the Government's concerns over human rights and East Timor were raised with Mr. Alatas at ministerial level during the course of his visit.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) if he will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which(a) have a statutory base, (b) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and (c) hold open meetings for the public; and if in each case this is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntarily; [16182]

  (2) if he will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which are subject to(a) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner,(b) scrutiny by the Audit Commission, (c) scrutiny by the National Audit Office, (d) statutory provisions for open government, (e) performance indicators and (f) provisions under the citizens charter. [16018]

  Mr. Willetts
  There are no executive non-departmental bodies sponsored by the Office of Public Service.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many persons and at what level in his Department were involved in considering the Government's response to the report of the Scott inquiry. [16642]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  Access to the report itself prior to publication was restricted to a very small number of officials in the main Departments concerned in accordance with the procedures agreed with the Scott inquiry. However, the Scott report covered a wide range of policy issues and a number of other officials will have contributed to preparation of the Government's response without sight of the report. It is not therefore possible to give their number or grades.

  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what was the cost of the allocation of persons in his Department to the consideration of the Government's response to the Scott inquiry. [16576]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  Access to the report itself prior to publication was restricted to a very small number of officials in the main Departments concerned in accordance with the procedure agreed with the Scott Inquiry. However, the Scott report covered a wide range of policy issues and a number of other officials will have contributed to preparation of the Government's response without sight of the report. It is not therefore possible to give the cost of the work.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he first saw the report of the Scott inquiry. [16592]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  I first saw the report on 10 February 1996. Such access was in accordance with the procedures agreed with the Scott inquiry.

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what communication he received from the secretary of the Scott inquiry concerning the time needed by the Opposition parties to scrutinise the Scott report; on what date he received such communications; what was the nature of the contents of letters; and if he will deposit copies of those letters in the Library. [16635]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. and learned Gentleman to the answer given by the President of the Board of Trade today.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister at what hour and minute of what day the report of the Scott inquiry was delivered to his office. [16544]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  I was not one of the recipients of an advance copy of Sir Richard Scott's report. I first saw the report on 10 February 1996. Such access was in accordance with the procedures agreed with the Scott inquiry.

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how he responded to communications received from Mr. Christopher Muttukumaru; what were the dates of the letters; and if he will deposit copies in the Library. [16552]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  I and my officials have responded to a number of letters from Mr. Muttukumaru, for example, about my evidence to the inquiry in February 1994. Sir Richard Scott is free to publish any document
  211
  he considers relevant to his report, consistent with his procedures. I understand that he proposes to do this as soon as possible.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the members of his Department who saw the report of the Scott inquiry before it was presented to the House; and when each saw the report. [16525]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  A small number of civil servants in each of the main Departments concerned had access to the report prior to publication for the purpose of preparing the Government's response. Such access was in accordance with the conditions laid down by the Scott inquiry.

  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make changes in the personnel of his Department following criticisms contained in the report of the Scott inquiry. [16565]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  No.

  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what consultations he had with non-ministerial right hon. and hon. Members before the publication of the Scott report. [16467]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  I had no such consultations after the receipt of the Scott report or on the Government's response to it.

  Press Gallery Writing Rooms
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which Ministers in his Department entered the writing rooms of the Press Gallery on 15 February. [16481]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  The Parliamentary Secretary.

DEFENCE

  NAAFI
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what further progress has been made on the independent review of the NAAFI. [15284]

  Mr. Soames
  The independent review has been concluded and a copy of Mr. Dart's report has been made available in the Library of the House. We will now carefully consider Mr. Dart's recommendations with a view to formulating an implementation plan in the near future.

  Mr. Dart's stated aim was to ensure that NAAFI continue to provide a first-class service to our armed forces and the framework he provides in his report should ensure that NAAFI has every opportunity to do so.

  Buy American Act
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Warley, West (Mr. Spellar) on 13 February,Official Report, column 493, if he will describe the nature of the new restrictions. [16145]
  212
  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The new US restrictions require a range of naval engineering and navigation equipment to be procured from domestic sources only, subject to certain limited waiver provisions. The new restrictions include the procurement of marine unique gyrocompasses, electronic navigation chart systems, steering controls, pumps, propulsion and machinery control systems. In addition, for a period of one year, new restrictions will apply to procurement of the main propulsion engines for the LPD-17 class of vessels and the emergency generator set for the new Attack submarine. These restrictions are renewable in future legislation.

  Sir Derek Boorman
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if Sir Derek Boorman sought permission to make public the information he disclosed on a television programme broadcast on 11 February. [15968]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  None of the views expressed by Sir Derek in his interview would have required prior permission from my Department and he did not seek it.

  Married Quarters Estate
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guarantees are being offered by his Department in respect of future rental income for the properties forming part of the married quarters estate which are currently being offered for sale. [16392]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  As explained in the "Preliminary Information Memorandum", a copy of which was placed in the Library, the terms of the sale will include"a government backed minimum cashflow in the form of a Guaranteed Payment providing a floor to rental income from the portfolio".

  The guaranteed payment will be set by reference to the rent on the minimum number of properties MOD expects to occupy.

  Army Technical Support Agency
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from(a) hon. Members, (b) local authorities and (c) trade unions concerning the proposed collocation of ATSA at Chertsey; and if he will make a statement. [16650]

  Mr. Soames
  In addition to those from a number of right hon. and hon. Members, my Department has received representations from the following local authorities and trade unions:

  London borough of Greenwich

  Broxtowe borough council

  Malvern Hills district council

  Melton borough council

  Hereford and Worcester county council

  Council of Civil Service Unions.

  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the overall cost(a) to his Department and (b) to the exchequer in the financial appraisal of the options concerning the future location of ATSA. [16652]
  213
  Mr. Soames
  Various options are being considered for the future location of ATSA, including a "do minimum" option collocation at a number of different single sites and a joint site option. The building works and other relevant costs were incorporated into an investment appraisal of all the options considered over a projected 25-year period. This appraisal listed the options in order of cost, with the Malvern-Chertsey twin site the most expensive, and the Chertsey single site the least expensive over the 25-year period. We are now considering the results of the consultative process which ended on 19 February.

  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what appraisal he has made of the possible location of ATSA on(a) the Royal Arsenal east site and (b) the Royal Arsenal west site; and if he will make a statement. [16651]

  Mr. Soames
  The possibility of ATSA collocation in Woolwich was considered at an early stage in the study. The costs of providing the agency's office, technical, messing, and married quarters accommodation, however, were assessed to be higher than that for collocation at either Chertsey or Malvern. With this in mind, as well as the additional heritage and planning implications associated with many of the MOD's sites in Woolwich, and the fact that collocation there would not best satisfy the agency's business needs, it was decided not to subject a Woolwich collocation option to detailed scrutiny.

  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with English Partnerships regarding the future location of the ATSA based in Woolwich. [16653]

  Mr. Soames
  In view of the decision not to subject a Woolwich collocation option to detailed scrutiny, we did not specifically discuss with English Partnerships, the potential owners of the Royal Arsenal west site, the opportunities for ATSA's collocation in Woolwich. Nevertheless, our discussions with them and the London borough of Greenwich as to the future of the Royal Arsenal west site continue, with the aim of achieving a comprehensive solution for the transfer of the site into civilian use so as to maximise local employment prospects.

  Naval Support Command Headquarters
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence further to paragraph 3.15 of the June 1995 consultation document, what is his latest estimate of the upfront capital costs for the additional building at Abbey Wood and the refurbishment of Ensleigh on the collocation of the naval support command headquarters at Abbey Wood/Ensleigh (Bath); at what cost opportunity costs for spare capacity at Abbey Wood were included in this estimate; and if he will make a statement. [16419]

  Mr. Soames
  Our estimate for the upfront capital cost for the additional building at Abbey Wood and the refurbishment of Ensleigh remains at about£40 million at 1995 prices and inclusive of VAT. The allowance for the opportunity cost of spare space at Abbey Wood separately included in the investment appraisal was based on the capital cost of the buildings concerned.

  Mr. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are his current plans for the refurbishment of Ensleigh; what is his latest estimate of the cost of the 214
  refurbishment; what was the estimated cost in June 1995; and if he will make a statement. [16341]

  Mr. Soames
  Further work is being undertaken on the scope of the Ensleigh refurbishment programme following the decisions announced last September. Some refurbishment work is already under way. The estimate for the costs of the work is commercially confidential, but the estimate for the overall upfront capital costs of Ensleigh refurbishment and the new building at Abbey Wood remains about£40 million.

  Mr. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his current estimate of(a) the number of staff who will seek household removal and (b) the cost of excess daily fares in respect of the collocation of the naval support command headquarters at Abbey Wood-Ensleigh (Bath); and if he will make a statement. [16342]

  Mr. Soames
  The consultation document on the NSC headquarters accommodation options assumed, in the appraisal of the Abbey Wood-Ensleigh option, about 100 house moves by Bath-based staff. The transport study which informed this assessment has recently been updated and the results will soon be available. No significant change is expected in the number of staff who may elect to move home. The latest estimate of the total cost of excess fares for the Abbey Wood-Ensleigh option is£5.8 million.

  Mr. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are his latest estimates of the costs of the collocation of the naval support command headquarters at Abbey Wood-Ensleigh (Bath); what are the significant changes from the cost estimates presented in the June 1995 consultation document; and if he will make a statement. [16343]

  Mr. Soames
  The net present value—NPV—figure for the costs of NSC relocation is£132 million at the latest price base. Other than the price base uplift, from 1994 to 1995 prices, there are no significant changes from the NPV figure presented in the consultation document.

  Artillery Shells, Iran
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will commission an inquiry into the underwriting of the export of artillery shells from British companies to Iran since 1985. [15625]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  I have been asked to reply.

  Export licences for export of weapons to Iran have not been available since 1980, and therefore the ECGD would not have underwritten applications for export of artillery shells to Iran during the period since 1985.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how he responded to communications received from Mr. Christopher Muttukumaru; what were the dates of letters; and if he will deposit copies in the Library. [16551]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  My officials have responded to a number of letters from Mr. Muttukumaru. Sir Richard Scott is free to publish any documents he considers relevant to his report, consistent with his procedures. I understand that he proposes to do this as soon as possible.
  215
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what communication he received from the secretary of the Scott inquiry concerning the time needed by the Opposition parties to scrutinise the Scott report; on what date he received such communications; what was the nature of the contents of letters; and if he will deposit copies of those letters in the Library. [16634]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  I refer the hon. and learned Member to the answer given to him by right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade earlier today.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the members of his Department who saw the report of the Scott inquiry before it was presented to the House; and when each saw the report. [16524]

  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of the allocation of persons in his Department to the consideration of the Government's response to the Scott inquiry. [16575]

  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many persons and at what level in his Department were involved in considering the Government's response to the report of the Scott inquiry. [16557]

  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make changes in the personnel of his Department following criticisms contained in the report of the Scott inquiry. [16566]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  I refer the hon. Members to the reply given earlier today by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

  Permits

  Category

  Permit holders

  1988

  1993

  1996

  1

  Right hon. and hon. Members (first, second and third floors)

  606

  638

  633

  2

  Officers of the House (fifth floor)

  112

  118

  123

  3

  Staff of the House with over 15 years service (certain spaces on the fourth and fifth floors)

  25

  63

  61

  4

  Late night staff (certain spaces on the fourth and fifth floors)

  280

  279

  284

  4

  Named members of the Press Gallery (certain spaces on the fourth and fifth floors)

  18

  18

  16

  5

  Members' secretaries with over 15 years service (certain spaces on the third floor)

  44

  20

  20

  6

  Permanent photo-identity pass holders on Fridays and non-sitting days only (fourth and fifth floors)

  474

  600

  594

  The number of places in the underground car park for the use of right hon. and hon. Members only has remained at 260 throughout this period.

  Press Gallery Writing Rooms
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he entered the writing rooms of the Press Gallery on 15 February. [16487]

  Mr. Newton
  No.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Lord President of the Council at what hour and minute of which day the report of the Scott inquiry was delivered to his office. [16490]

  Mr. Newton
  After 3.30 pm on Thursday 15 February.
  216
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence at what hour and minute of what day the report of the Scott inquiry was delivered to his office. [16541]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  During the afternoon of Wednesday 7 February 1996.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he first saw the report of the Scott inquiry. [16593]

  Mr. Portillo
  It was delivered to me on Wednesday 7 February 1996.

  Press Gallery Writing Rooms
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Ministers in his Department entered the writing rooms of the Press Gallery on 15 February. [16482]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  None.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Parking Passes
  Sir Terence Higgins
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee how many current passes for the House of Commons car park have been issued to each category of persons entitled to such parking passes; how many places are for the use only of hon. and right hon. Members; and what were the equivalent figures in(a) 1988 and (b) 1993. [16093]

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  The information requested is as follows:

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how he responded to communications received from Mr. Christopher Muttukumaru; what were the dates of letters; and if he will deposit copies in the Library. [16555]

  Mr. Newton
  I have had no communications from Mr. Muttukumaru.

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what communication he received from the secretary of the Scott inquiry, Mr. Christopher Muttukumaru, concerning the time needed by the Opposition parties to scrutinise the Scott report; on what date he received such communications; what was the nature of the contents of letters; and if he will deposit copies of those letters in the Library. [16546]
  217
  Mr. Newton
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the President of the Board of Trade today.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Lord President of the Council when he first saw the report of the Scott inquiry. [16579]

  Mr. Newton
  After 3.30 pm on Thursday 15 February.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prison Disturbances
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 7 February,Official Report, column 183, what information is available regarding payments for compensation and damages following disturbances in prisons in England and Wales over the past 10 years. [14963]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 13 February 1996]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Jim Dowd, dated 22 February 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your further Question about payments of compensation and damages to individuals following prison disturbances in the last ten years.
  Compensation claims are dealt with either at local level or centrally depending on the size and nature of the claim. Information is available, from the financial year 1990/91, on the Prison Service's annual spend on compensation as a whole. It is not possible to identify the amount paid as a result of prison disturbances. This could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Party Conferences, Blackpool
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reimburse the Lancashire police authority for the cost of policing political party conferences held in Blackpool. [16154]

  Mr. Maclean
  None at present, but Lancashire police authority has been told that we would be prepared to consider the special payment of police grant under section 31 B of the Police Act 1964 for exceptional expenditure incurred in connection with safeguarding national security for the 1997 party conference. We would assess the case for a special grant in the context of the relative financial burden that the party political conferences impose on the force and in the light of the security situation prevailing at the time.

  Mr. Mervyn Ritter
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list cases in which Mr. Mervyn Ritter has given evidence on behalf of the Crown against other prisoners while he was in prison. [16077]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
  218
  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Chris Mullin, dated 22 February 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question in which you asked him to list cases in which Mr. Mervyn Ritter has given evidence on behalf of the Crown against other prisoners while he was in prison.
  There is no record of Mr. Ritter giving evidence on behalf of the Crown against other prisoners while he was in prison.

  Arson
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many arson attacks were reported to each police authority area in the last three complete years. [16147]

  Mr. Maclean
  The available information relates to offences of arson recorded by the police and is published annually in table 3.1 of "Criminal statistics, England and Wales, Supplementary tables, Volume 3", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Prison Service (Security Budget)
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of the Prison Service budget was spent on security for(a) 1993–94, (b) 1994–95 and (c) 1995–96; what is the projected percentage for 1996–97; and if he will make a statement. [15903]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 21 February 1996]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Alex Carlile, dated 22 February 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the percentage of Prison Service budget spent on security.
  Estimates of current expenditure on security are not available. Staff in prison establishments are multi-functional and all are responsible for ensuring that security is maintained.
  In most capital projects it is not possible to identify integral security costs.
  expenditure on overt security devices, for example perimeter walls and closed circuit television is recorded in the table below.

  Percentage

  1993–94 Outturn

  1994–95 Outturn

  1995–96 Supply Provision

  1996–97 Planned

  Percentage of total capital expenditure

  6.9

  6.5

  17.5

  18.4

  Prison Service (Market Testing)
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce further market testing in the Prison Service; and if he will make a statement. [15904]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 21 February 1996]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
  219
  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Alex Carlile, dated 22 February 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about market testing in the Prison Service.
  The Prison Service remains committed to market testing as a means of improving quality and value for money in the provision of custodial services. We will shortly finalise our plans for the market testing of Prison Service establishments and of particular functions within establishments for the financial year 1996–97.

  Emergency Plans
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received regarding funding for dealing with the aftermath of disasters; and if he will make a statement on the responsibilities exercised by his Department in this area. [15615]

  Mr. Sackville
  None. The Home Office provides some funding to local authorities in England and Wales to assist them in their planning for major disasters—including peacetime disasters—however caused. But representations about the availability of funding to assist those authorities to deal with a disaster after it has happened should be made to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all emergency plans sponsored by local authorities during the last five years; and if he will make a statement on what plans he has to assist councils to retain emergency teams following the reorganisation of local government. [15616]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Home Office encourages local authorities to develop flexible emergency management arrangements which are capable of responding to any incident; but we do not require them to submit copies of the plans which they have made.

  We have issued guidance to the new authorities suggesting how they might wish to approach planning for emergencies in the new situation created by the reorganisation of local government. Members of the Department's emergency planning division have also visited them to discuss the new arrangements.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which(a) have a statutory base, (b) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and (c) hold open meetings for the public; and if in each case this is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntarily. [16184]

  Mr. Howard
  (a) The following executive non-departmental public bodies—NDPBs—have a statutory base:

  Alcohol Education and Research Council

  Commission for Racial Equality

  Data Protection Registrar

  Gaming Board for Great Britain

  220

  Horserace Betting Levy Board

  Horserace Totalisator Board

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Police Complaints Authority.

  (b) None of executive NDPBs for which I am responsible admits members of the public to all board or committee meetings either under a statutory requirement or voluntarily.

  (c) The Commission for Racial Equality holds conferences and seminars on race relations issues and the Data Protection Registrar holds meetings to discuss the operation of the Data Protection Act, but neither they nor any of the executive NDPBs for which I am responsible are under a statutory requirement to hold open meetings.

  Kani Yilmaz
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Woolwich dated 18 December 1995, regarding the application for extradition in respect of Kani Yilmaz; and if he will make a statement. [16466]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  I replied to the hon. Member on 21 February.

  Mohammed Akhtar
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a copy of the document referred to by the Home Office presenting officer at the appeal in Leeds by Mohammed Akhtar, Ref. A47642/3 (s); PO1 736/95. [16425]

  Miss Widdecombe
  It would not be practicable to place in the Library all the information on countries of origin available to presenting officers, since this is drawn from a wide range of sources. Where country reports summarising such information are prepared, they will be placed in the Library when finalised.

  Prevention of Terrorism Legislation
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to publish the report from Mr. J. J. Rowe QC on the operation in 1995 of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989; and what conclusions he has reached on the future of the Act. [17300]

  Mr. Howard
  I have now considered Mr. Rowe's report which I have today placed in the Library and have decided to accept his recommendation that the legislation should be renewed in its entirety for a further 12 months. A draft order to give effect to that is today being laid before the House.

PRIME MINISTER

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 22 February. [15165]
  221
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 22 February. [15166]

  The Prime Minister
  This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Prime Minister what action he is taking to ensure that each Government Department lists in its annual report(a) what action it has taken in the past 12 months and (b) what it plans to do in the next 12 months to reduce the regulatory burdens on businesses. [15614]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government have agreed as part of their response to the deregulation task force's 1995 annual report, published in September 1995, that all governmental Departments will provide this information in their annual reports. It is for each Secretary of State to ensure that this happens.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his written answer of 14 February,Official Report, column 592, from what sources of information he assesses the record of Government against their targets for repealing or amending regulations. [16185]

  The Prime Minister
  I receive regular reports from the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on progress under the deregulation initiative. These incorporate information from individual Departments on their progress in repealing and amending regulations.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Prime Minister how he responded to communications received from Mr. Christopher Muttukumaru; what were the dates of letters; and if he will deposit copies in the Library. [16553]

  The Prime Minister
  I and my officials have responded to a number of letters from Mr. Muttukumaru, for example, about my evidence to the inquiry in January 1994. Sir Richard Scott is free to publish any document he considers relevant to his report, consistent with his procedures. I understand that he proposes to do this as soon as possible.

  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make changes in the personnel of his Department following criticisms contained in the report of the Scott inquiry. [16564]

  The Prime Minister
  I do not envisage making such changes. Where officials criticised in the Scott report had acted conscientiously, in good faith and in accordance with Government policy, it would not normally be appropriate to take disciplinary action against them. If there are cases where disciplinary action is considered appropriate this would be carried out under normal departmental disciplinary procedure.

  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Prime Minister how many persons and at what level in his Department were involved in considering the Government's response to the report of the Scott inquiry. [16556]
  222
  The Prime Minister
  Access to the report itself prior to publication was restricted to a very small number of officials in the main Departments concerned in accordance with the procedures agreed with the Scott inquiry. However, the Scott report covered a wide range of policy issues and a number of other officials will have contributed to preparation of the Government's response without sight of the report It is not therefore possible to give their number or grades.

  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Prime Minister what consultations he had with non-ministerial right hon. and hon. Members before the publication of the Scott inquiry. [16465]

  The Prime Minister
  I had no such consultations on the contents of the Scott report or on the Government's response to it.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will revise "Questions of Procedure for Ministers" following the report of the Scott inquiry. [16469]

  The Prime Minister
  "Questions of Procedure for Ministers" is updated from time to time as the need arises. That will continue to be the case.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Prime Minister from which civil servants he took advice before making his decision not to permit members of opposition parties to see the report of the Scott inquiry until three hours before it was presented to the House. [16609]

  The Prime Minister
  Successive Governments have not disclosed the nature or the specific sources of the advice they receive from the civil service.

  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Prime Minister when the Scott report was made available to the head of research at Conservative central office. [16422]

  The Prime Minister
  At 15.30 pm on 15 February 1996.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Prime Minister when he first saw the report of the Scott inquiry. [16595]

  The Prime Minister
  Wednesday 7 February 1996.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister what consultation he had with the Secretary to the Cabinet concerning the Government's response to the Scott inquiry; and where and when such consultations took place. [16605]

  The Prime Minister
  I have regular consultations with the Secretary of the Cabinet on current issues affecting the Government. These generally take place in 10 Downing street. Details of these consultations are private.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister when he first consulted other Cabinet Ministers about the contents of the report of the Scott inquiry; and where and when such discussions took place and with whom. [16517]

  The Prime Minister
  I have frequent meetings with Ministers at which we discuss Government business. These meetings usually take place in No. 10 Downing street. The details of such meetings are private.
  223
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Prime Minister what was the cost of the allocation of persons in his Department to the consideration of the Government's response to the Scott inquiry. [16577]

  The Prime Minister
  Access to the report itself prior to publication was restricted to a very small number of officials in the main Departments concerned in accordance with the procedure agreed with the Scott inquiry. However, the Scott report covered a wide range of policy issues and a number of other officials will have contributed to preparation of the Government's response without sight of the report. It is not therefore possible to give the cost of the work.

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Prime Minister what communication he received from the secretary of the Scott inquiry, concerning the time needed by the opposition parties to scrutinise the Scott report; on what date he received such communications; what was the nature of the contents of letters; and if he will deposit copies of those letters in the Library. [16636]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. and learned Member to the answer given to him by the President of the Board of Trade today.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Prime Minister at what hour and minute of what day the report of the Scott inquiry was delivered to his office. [16542]

  The Prime Minister
  During the afternoon of Wednesday 7 February 1996.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the members of his Department who saw the report of the Scott inquiry before it was presented to the House; and when each saw the report. [16522]

  The Prime Minister
  A small number of civil servants in each of the main Departments concerned had access to the report prior to publication for the purpose of preparing the Government's response. Such access was in accordance with the conditions laid down by the Scott inquiry.

  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister on whose authority it was decided not to permit members of opposition parties to see the report of the Scott inquiry until three hours before the report was presented to the House. [16512]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government decided, in the light of precedents, that it was appropriate to allow access to Opposition spokesmen three and a half hours before the publication of the report.

  Name of body

  Parliamentary commissioner

  Audit commission

  National audit office

  Open government

  Performance indicators

  Citizen's charter

  Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  Construction Industry Training Board

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Education Assets Board

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  Engineering Construction Industry Training Board

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Equal Opportunities Commission

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  224
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list all locations where a full set of the transcripts from the Scott inquiry are lodged. [15970]

  The Prime Minister
  Transcripts of oral evidence to the Scott inquiry are publicly available from Smith Bernal, Official Court Reports, 167 Fleet Street. London EC4A 2EA, tel. 0171 939 2266. I understand that copies are also available for public consultation in Westminster public libraries. Since transcripts of oral evidence were available to the general public I have no means of identifying the locations of all such transcripts.

  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Prime Minister how many photocopies the Government have made of the Scott report as of 13 February. [15703]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 16 February 1996]: No photocopies were made of the report as a whole prior to publication. Photocopies of some sections of the report were made, in accordance with agreements reached with the inquiry.

  Press Gallery Writing Rooms
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Prime Minister which Ministers in his Department entered the writing rooms of the Press Gallery on 15 February. [16484]

  The Prime Minister
  If any Ministers did so, that is a matter for them.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Environmental Appraisals
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many environmental appraisals were produced by her Department using the guidance contained in the Department of the Environment's "Policy Appraisal and the Environment" in 1995; and if she will place copies in the Library. [15111]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  [holding reply 14 February 1996]: None.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by her Department which are subject to(a) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, (b) scrutiny by the Audit Commission. (c) scrutiny by the National Audit Office, (d) statutory provisions for open government, (e) performance indicators and (f) provisions under the citizens charter. [16016]

  Mr. Forth
  The information requested is shown in the table:
  225

  Name of body

  Parliamentary commissioner

  Audit commission

  National audit office

  Open government

  Performance indicators

  Citizen's charter

  Funding Agency for Schools

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  Further Education Funding Council

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  Higher Education Funding Council for England

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  Investors In People UK

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  National Council for Educational Technology

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  National Council for Vocational Qualifications

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  No

  National Youth Agency

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  Remploy Ltd.

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  No

  School Curriculum and Assessment Authority

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  Teacher Training Agency

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by her Department have a statutory base and which(a) admit members of the public to all board or committee meeting

  Admit public to all meetings

  Hold open meetings

  Name of body

  Statutory base

  Statutory

  Voluntary

  Statutory

  Voluntary

  Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  Construction Industry Training Board

  Yes

  No

  No

  No

  No

  Education Assets Board

  Yes

  No

  No

  No

  No

  Engineering Construction Industry Training Board

  Yes

  No

  No

  No

  No

  Equal Opportunities Commission

  Yes

  No

  No

  No

  No

  Funding Agency for Schools

  Yes

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  Further Education Funding Council

  Yes

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  Higher Education Funding Council for England

  Yes

  No

  No

  No

  No

  Investors In People UK

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  National Council for Educational Technology

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  National Council for Vocational Qualifications

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  National Youth Agency

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  Remploy Ltd.

  Yes

  No

  No

  No

  No

  School Curriculum and Assessment Authority

  Yes

  No

  No

  No

  No

  Teacher Training Agency

  Yes

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  Under-fives Provision
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to allow local education authorities to continue to fund under-fives provision directly through the local management of schools formula and to redeem vouchers on behalf of local providers under the nursery voucher scheme. [16284]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Officials wrote to all chief education officers on 31 January to inform them that the proposed grant for nursery education in respect of local education authority maintained schools will be paid to local education authorities for distribution through their LMS schemes. LEAs will continue to be able to spend what they consider appropriate on provision for under-fives, taking the grant and other forms of revenue into account.

  It will be for local decision whether LEAs participate in handling vouchers, or leave it to the schools they maintain.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list(a) the number of four-year-olds in maintained provision at January 1995,
  226
  and (b) hold open meetings for the public; and whether in each case this is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntarily. [16029]

  Mr. Forth
  the information requested is shown in the table:

  (b) the potential deduction from the under-fives standard spending assessment, based on the January 1995 pupil count, (c) the actual deduction agreed with the pilot authorities and (d) the criteria used to adjust the potential deduction to reach the actual deduction, including the pupil numbers involved, for each of the pilot authorities participating in phase one of the voucher scheme. [16285]

  Mr. Squire
  The Department's estimate of the number of four-year-olds in maintained provision in each of the phase 1 authorities in January 1995—taken from the annual schools census—is shown in the table, with the deduction from the 1996–97 standard spending assessment in each case.

  LEA

  Estimated number of 4-year-olds in maintained provision at January 1995

  SSA deduction (£ million)

  Kensington and Chelsea

  800

  0.7

  Wandsworth

  2,600

  2.4

  Westminster

  1,100

  1.0

  Norfolk

  6,300

  6.8

  227
  The pupil numbers underpinning the deductions were adjusted to take into account local education authority comments on the January estimates and the number of four-year-olds in maintained provision in the autumn term 1994 and the summer term 1995 and the number of four-year-old pupils in maintained provision who were not resident in the LEA and who will not receive a voucher in phase 1.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when she first saw the report of the Scott inquiry. [16596]

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I first saw the report of the Scott inquiry on the morning of Monday 19 February.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list the members of her Department who saw the report of the Scott inquiry before it was presented to the House; and when each saw the report. [16520]

  Mrs. Shephard
  No members of my Department saw the report of the Scott inquiry before it was published.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment at what hour and minute of which day the report of the Scott inquiry was delivered to her office. [16493]

  Mrs. Shephard
  The report of the Scott inquiry was delivered to my office at 2pm on Friday 16 February.

  Press Gallery Writing Rooms
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which Ministers in her Department entered the writing rooms of the Press Gallery on 15 February. [16486]

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  If any Ministers did so, that is a matter for them.

  School Premises Regulations
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on the progress of the revised school premises regulations. [17173]

  Mrs.Gillan
  Following my answer on 10 January—Official Report, column 274—I can confirm that new school premises regulations have been laid before Parliament today.

  The new regulations will come into on 1 September this year, when the transitional arrangements of the 1981 regulations expire.

  The government will publish an explanatory circular and two sets guidance during the summer. The circular will explain the regulations in layman's terms; one guidance document will cover accommodation in schools and nurscries, the other will cover will cover school grounds.

  Cash Limits
  MR. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what changes she plans to cash limits on votes within her responsibility for 1995–96. [17174]
  228
  Mrs. Gillan
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 1 February 1996 that the cash limit for class x, vote 1, schools, research and miscellaneous services will be reduced by£75,000 from£735,483,000 to£735,408,000. The cash limit will now be reduced by a further£900,000 to£734,508,000. The reduction will be used to offset an increase in the non-voted cash limit for local authority capital for school building projects—DFEE/LACAP. The local authority capital cash limit, DFEE/LACAP, will therefore be increased by£900,000 from£46,898,000 to£47,798,000.

  Teachers' Superannuation Scheme
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what plans she has to update the actuarial valuation of the teachers' superannuation scheme; [16348]

  (2) what estimates she has made of catch-up contributions required to cater for the review of the teachers' superannuation scheme actuarial valuation. [16317]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The valuation of the teachers' superannuation scheme is carried out by the Government Actuary and it is for him to estimate the contribution required. My right hon. Friend is awaiting the Government Actuary's report on the valuation of the scheme as at 31 March 1991, which she expects early in 1996–97.

TREASURY

  Tax Relief and Allowances
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update his answer to the hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) of 22 May 1995,Official Report, column 469 on revenue costs of tax reliefs and allowances, to give figures for 1996–97. [14401]

  Mr. Jack
  Estimated full-year revenue costs at 1996–97 income levels are in the table. Separate costings have been produced for allowances and reliefs. The combined cost of both allowances and reliefs would be greater than the sum of the individual figures.

  Cost of allowances and reliefs

  £ billion

  Group of taxpayers

  Allowances

  Reliefs

  Top 1 per cent.

  0.4

  0.8

  Top 5 per cent.

  2.2

  2.1

  Top 10 per cent.

  4.3

  3.0

  Top 25 per cent.

  8.6

  4.4

  Top 50 per cent.

  15.4

  6.2

  Top 70 per cent.

  20.8

  7.0

  All taxpayers

  28.1

  7.4

  Exchange and Trading Schemes
  Mr. Chris Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many local exchange and trading schemes have been established in the United Kingdom; and how many members they have. [15429]
  229
  Mr. Jack
  Information on the number of local exchange and trading schemes which have been established in the United Kingdom, and the number of members they have, is not available.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which(a) have a statutory base, (b) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and (c) hold open meetings for the public; and if in each case this is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntarily. [16175]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  There are no executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Treasury.

  Seized Alcoholic Drinks
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy in respect of disposal of seized alcoholic drinks and tobacco products. [17172]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Customs has carried out a review of its policy on the disposal of seized excise goods. The policy to destroy small seizures of alcohol, in an

  Claims paid by ECGD in£ millions by financial year from 1 April 1988

  Country

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  11995–96

  Indonesia

  5

  5

  3

  2

  0

  1

  1

  4

  Iraq

  28

  56

  193

  181

  104

  61

  46

  14

  Jordan

  1

  28

  49

  50

  46

  41

  36

  31

  Nigeria

  291

  242

  157

  131

  98

  48

  28

  5

  Oman

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Other countries in Gulf Co-operation Council group

  5

  3

  12

  7

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1To 31 January 1996.

  Export Credits Guarantee Advisory Service
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will update his answer to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent of 20 January 1994,Official Report, columns 748–50, on membership of the exports credits guarantee advisory service. [15623]

  Mr. Nelson
  There have been no further appointments to the Export Credits Guarantee Advisory Council since 20 January 1994. The following members, however, how now retired from service:

  A. G. Gormly, Esq., CBE

  C. Smallwood Esq.

  Sir Robert Davidson

  Sir Frank Lampl.

  Further appointments will be made in due course.

  Iraq (Petroleum)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the role played by Crescent International Petroleum in trading with Iraq. [15967]

  Mr. Nelson
  No.
  230
  economic and environmentally satisfactory manner, will continue. For individual large seizures of alcohol Customs will, wherever possible, continue to sell the goods back to the original UK manufacturer. The policy to destroy all tobacco seizures will continue. A copy of Customs' review report has been placed in the Library of the House.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Export Credits Guarantee Department
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the factors included under the heading "other elements" contributing to ECGD exposure in Nigeria and Brazil as outlined on page 6 of the annual report of ECGD. [15174]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The other elements are made up entirely of claims paid not yet recovered.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list for each year since 1988 the total amount of claims paid by ECGD broken down to show those paid in respect(a) Iraq, (b) Jordan, (c) Nigeria, (d) Oman, (e) Indonesia, and (f) other countries in the Gulf Co-operation Council group. [15177]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The following is the information:

  Post Office
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what were the main components of the pay off to the former chief executive of the Post Office; [15915]

  (2) what early retirement or voluntary severance schemes are currently in place for employees of the Post Office; [15916]

  (3) what were the principal factors in his decision to approve the early retirement of the chief executive of the Post Office. [15924]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 19 February 1996]: The details of the payments made to Mr. Cockburn, the former chief executive, on leaving the Post Office were set out in the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Manchester, Blackley (Mr. Eastham) on 5 December 1995, Official Report, column 162. The Post Office is responsible for the early retirement and voluntary severance schemes in place for its employees.

  There are two principal pension schemes in operation within the Post Office: the Post Office staff superannuation scheme and the Post Office pension scheme. Mr. Cockburn is a member of the former. The provisions and administration of each are the responsibility of the Post Office and the trustees.
  231
  Mr. Cockburn left the Post Office board when his three year appointment to it expired in October 1995. Although offered renewal of his contract on existing terms, he decided after 34 years in the Post Office, 14 of them as a member of the Post Office board, to seek a new challenge in the private sector. I did not approve the early retirement of Mr. Cockburn; this was a matter for him and the Post Office under the terms of his original appointment to the board.

  Nigeria (Arms Exports)
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to ensure that no arms are exported to Nigeria from(a) the United Kingdom and (b) other EU states, under licences which were granted prior to the current embargo; and if he will make a statement. [16260]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 21 February 1996]: At the end of last year, the European Union decided to strengthen its measures against the military regime in response to adverse developments in Nigeria. Among these measures was strengthening of the existing restrictions on the sale of military equipment, though there was no agreement to extend these measures to existing contracts and therefore export licences which were issued against those contracts were not revoked.

  So far as future exports are concerned, in common with arms embargoes against other countries, the embargo against Nigeria will include all military, security and paramilitary goods and arms, ammunition and related material which is listed in group 1 of part III of schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, available from HMSO. The rules do not distinguish between items intended for the military and for the police, nor has any exception been allowed for international peacekeeping operations in which the Nigerians might be involved.

  Wind Turbines
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many wind turbines were erected in (i) each year since 1993, (ii) 1994, (iii) 1995 and (iv) 1996 to date. [16417]

  Mr. Page
  The number of wind turbines erected in the United Kingdom under the non-fossil fuel obligation—in England and Wales—the Northern Ireland non-fossil fuel obligation, NI-NFFO, and the Scottish renewables order, SRO, are as follows:

  Year

  NFFO 1 and 2

  NI-NFFO 1

  SRO 1

  Total

  1991

  13

  —

  —

  13

  1992

  113

  —

  —

  113

  1993

  247

  —

  —

  247

  1994

  54

  20

  —

  74

  1995

  15

  30

  26

  71

  1996

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Total

  442

  50

  26

  518

  There are also some small-scale wind turbines in domestic use, and some single large-scale wind turbines erected outside the non-fossil fuel obligation and other obligations arrangements. Data on their number could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Capita Managed Services Ltd.
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what were the terms on which the contract to collect the costs awarded against directors disqualified from managing a limited company was awarded to Capita Managed Services Ltd. [16275]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The contract has been awarded for an initial period of three years commencing on 1 December 1995. The terms themselves are a matter of commercial confidentiality.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the process by which Capita Managed Services Ltd. was awarded the contract to collect the costs awarded against directors who are disqualified from acting in the management of limited companies. [16273]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  An advertisement setting out details of the service requirement and calling for expressions of interest was placed in "Government Opportunities". Respondents were asked to complete a pre-qualification questionnaire. On the basis of the replies a short list of six was drawn up and formal tenders issued. The bid from Capita Managed Services Ltd. represented best value for money and the contract was awarded accordingly.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which(a) have a statutory base, (b) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and (c) hold open meetings for the public; and if in each case this is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntarily. [16177]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The information is as follows:

  Those non-departmental public bodies which:
  (a) Have a statutory base:
  All except the National Consumer Council, the Simpler Trade Procedures Board and the Design Council, the latter being established by royal charter. The research councils are also established by royal charter, a prerogative instrument, but are governed by the Science and Technology Act 1965 which imposes statutory duties in areas such as production of an annual report and keeping of accounts.
  (b) Admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings:
  None.
  (c) Hold open meetings for the public:
  None except the research councils who from time to time voluntarily hold open meetings.

  In both (b) and (c) it is voluntary and not a statutory requirement for all DTI NDPBs.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the impact of Government policies upon small businesses in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [15236]

  Mr. Page
  The Government are fully committed to supporting the small firms sector and recognise the key role that it plays in the economy.
  233
  After reductions in the number of businesses in the early 1990s, there was a net increase in the number of businesses operating in England and Wales in both 1994 and 1995. Policy for small firms focuses mainly on providing a favourable economic climate—based on low inflation and stable interest rates in which enterprises can flourish. The Government are also concentrating on reducing administrative and regulatory burdens thereby enabling businesses to get on, unimpeded, with running their businesses.

  The Government also provide direct assistance to small firms.

  The establishment of the business link network now provides a single point of access to a wide range of information and services to small and medium-sized firms in England. Early indicators are that firms welcome these services and are impressed by the quality of provision.

  In shaping their policy the Government are listening to the voice of small firms through the regional "Your Business Matters" conference and will take careful account of the report to be presented at a national conference on 11 March.

  The small business ministerial group will have a significant effect on small firms by providing a forum for developing co-ordinated and cohesive policy across Whitehall Departments.

  Greyhound Breeding, Ireland
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when the hon. Member for Wentworth will receive an answer to the question of 30 November, about the support of greyhound breeding in Ireland by the EC. [13126]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [pursuant to his reply, 7 February 1996, c. 232]: The current objective 1 programme of EC structural funds grants for the Republic of Ireland, which covers the period 1994 to 1999, includes three relevant measures: a quality breeding scheme, including purchase of breeding greyhounds from abroad; grant towards the cost of marketing greyhounds; and grant towards breeding premises for various animals including greyhounds. Intended totals of grant for the three schemes are IR£300,000, IR£353,000 and 1R£7.5 million respectively. The first two schemes have not yet begun. Under the third scheme, IR£38,000 has so far been paid in respect of premises for greyhounds.

  I understand that no information is available about the number of greyhounds to be bred or, therefore, the cost per animal.

  I shall be glad to consider the matter further if the hon. Gentleman wishes to write to me.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what communication he received from the secretary of the Scott inquiry, concerning the time needed by the Opposition parties to scrutinise the Scott report; on what 234
  date he received such communications; what was the nature of the contents of letters; and if he will deposit copies of those letters in the Library. [16545]

  Mr. Lang
  Correspondence on this issue was copied by the Scott inquiry to spokesmen for the main Opposition parties. This makes it clear that Sir Richard was glad to note the arrangements made for giving advance access to Opposition spokesmen. The Government do not propose to deposit copies of the correspondence in the Library of the House.

  Press Gallery Writing Rooms
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which Ministers in his Department entered the writing rooms of the Press Gallery on 15 February. [16470]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  None.

  Biotechnology and Biological Research Council
  Sir Andrew Bowden
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about forthcoming prior options reviews of institutes sponsored by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. [17213]

  Mr. Taylor
  The Government announced on 29 September 1995 that all public sector research establishments would be subject to prior options reviews. I announced on 24 November reviews of BBSRC-sponsored institutes concerned with agriculture and plant sciences.

  Reviews are now beginning of the BBSRC's arrangements for sponsoring the Babraham Institute, the Institute for Animal Health and the Roslin Institute.

  These reviews will take place alongside those of establishments parented or sponsored by other Government Departments which are carrying out work in similar or related fields. The reviews will build on any relevant recent studies.

  I should welcome comments from interested parties. Comments should be sent by 8 April 1996 to:
  Dr. Susannah Bolton, Institute of Arable Crops Research, Rothamsted, Harpenden, Herts AL5 2JQ in respect of the Babraham Institute;
  Dr. David L. O. Smith, Silsoe Research Institute, Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedford MK45 4HS in respect of the Institute for Animal Health; and
  Dr. Vincent Essex, BBSRC, Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1UH in respect of the Roslin Institute.

  Internet
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when it is planned that the British library will make available on the Internet information on British patents, trade marks, registered designs, and information from the Official Journal. [16216]

  Mr. Sproat
  I have been asked to reply.

  The British library has no plans to make available on the Internet information on British patents, trade marks, registered designs, an information from the Official Journal.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Iraq
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if(a) Ministers and (b) officials of his Department were present at the international exhibition for military production held in Baghdad in 1989. [15695]

  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 16 February 1996]: Some officials serving at the British embassy in Baghdad attended the exhibition. No Ministers were present.

  Western Sahara
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings concerning the future of the Western Sahara have been attended by representatives of Her Majesty's Government(a) at the UN and (b) elsewhere in the past year; and if he will make a statement. [15933]

  Mr. Hanley
  Programmes for official visits to the UN mission for the referendum in Western Sahara—MINURSO—from the UK and elsewhere have usually included visits to refugee camps in Algeria under MINURSO auspices. Most recently, officials from the foreign and Commonwealth Office visited camps in Tindouf in October 1995.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the UN Security Council concerning the performance of MINURSO in registering potential voters in the referendum on the future of the Western Sahara; and if he will make a statement. [15934]

  Mr. Hanley
  We have expressed concern in the UN Security Council at the slow rate of progress in registering voters in the referendum on the future of the Western Sahara. The Secretary-General has reported that he will monitor the situation closely and bring the matter to the Security Council's attention if the situation showed no or very little sign of improvement.

  We remain supportive of the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and of MINURSO. We continue to urge all parties to proceed with the referendum process as quickly as possible.

  Guatemala
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings have been held by representatives of Her Majesty's Government with the new Government of Guatemala; and if he will make a statement. [15930]

  Mr. David Davis
  Lord Chesham met President Arzu on 15 January when he visited Guatemala City for the President's inauguration. We continue to encourage the Government of Guatemala to reach a peace agreement with the URNG guerrillas and a settlement of the territorial dispute with Belize.

  Antarctic Treaty
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to meet 236
  signatory nations to the Antarctic treaty concerning the establishment and siting of the secretariat; and if he will make a statement. [15935]

  Mr. David Davis
  There are no immediate plans for Ministers to meet Antarctic treaty signatories to discuss this issue. The Antarctic treaty secretariat will be the subject of discussion at official level at the forthcoming Antarctic treaty consultative meeting in the Netherlands on 29 April to 10 May.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has recently held with the Argentine Foreign Minister concerning the siting of the secretariat to the Antarctic treaty; and if he will make a statement. [15936]

  Mr. Davis
  The siting of the Antarctic treaty secretariat was raised by the Argentine Foreign Minster during bilateral meetings on 15 December 1995 and on 30 January 1996. He was informed that our position remained unchanged.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he first saw the report of the Scott inquiry. [16590]

  Mr. Hanley
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary first saw the report on Wednesday 7 February 1996.

  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the cost of the allocation of persons in his Department to the consideration of the Government's response to the Scott inquiry. [16574]

  Mr. Hanley
  Access to the report itself prior to publication was restricted to a very small number of officials in the main Departments concerned, in accordance with the procedures agreed with the Scott inquiry. However, the Scott report covered a range of issues and a number of other officials will have contributed to preparation of the Government's response without sight of the report. It is not therefore possible to give the cost of the work.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs at what hour and minute of which day the report of the Scott inquiry was delivered to his office. [16504]

  Mr. Hanley
  The report was delivered to my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary during the afternoon of Wednesday 7 February 1996.

  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many persons and at what level in his Department were involved in considering the Government's response to the report of the Scott inquiry. [16644]

  Mr. Hanley
  Access to the report itself prior to publication was restricted to a very small number of officials in the main Departments concerned in accordance with the procedures agreed with the Scott inquiry. However, the Scott report covered a range of issues and a number of other officials will have
  237
  contributed to preparation of the Government's response without sight of the report. It is not, therefore, possible to give their number or grade.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the members of his Department who saw the report of the Scott inquiry before it was presented to the House; and when each saw the report. [16527]

  Mr. Hanley
  A small number of civil servants in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office had access to the report prior to publication for the purpose of preparing the Government's response. Such access was in accordance with the conditions laid down by the Scott inquiry.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the hon. Members referred to in paragraph D4.3 of the Scott report who received letters couched in the terms described in paragraph D4.2. [16468]

  Mr. Hanley
  Mrs. G. Dunwoody MP, B. Field MP, M. Wolfson MP, C. R. Gregory MP, I. Stewart MP, R. Rhodes James MP, A. Haselhurst MP, Sir G. Finsberg MP, D. Curry MP, N. Griffiths MP, J. Patten MP, D. Atkinson MP, Dame Elaine Kellett-Bowman MP, J. Redwood MP, C. Wardle MP, S. Bell MP, D. Alton MP, M. Jones MP, R. Tracey MP, T. Rathbone MP, D. Sumberg MP, R. Moate MP, M. Grylls MP, C. Hawkins MP, K. Baker MP, N. Winterton MP, Dr. A. Williams MP, Rt hon. Tony Benn MP, Rt hon. Peter Shore MP, Sir H. Rossi MP and M. Lord MP.

  Some received more than one letter.

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what communication he received from the secretary to the Scott inquiry concerning the time needed by the Opposition parties to scrutinise the Scott report; on what date he received such communications; what was the nature of the contents of letters; and if he will deposit copies of those letters in the Library. [16633]

  Mr. Hanley
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade today.

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how he responded to communications received from Mr. Christopher Muttukumaru; what were the dates of the letters; and if he will deposit copies in the Library. [16550]

  Mr. Hanley
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary and FCO officials have responded to a number of letters from Mr. Muttukumaru. Sir Richard Scott is free to publish any document he considers relevant to his report, consistent with his procedures. I understand that he proposes to do this as soon as possible.

  Press Gallery Writing Rooms
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Ministers in his Department entered the writing rooms of the Press Gallery on 15 February. [16479]

  Mr. Hanley
  If any Ministers did so, that is a matter for them.

  India and Pakistan
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his letter of 27 October, Ref: 2712002, was circulated to the Home Secretary; when he reached a decision that India and Pakistan should be added to the list of designated countries; on what date he told the Home Secretary of his decision in respect of India and Pakistan; if he will place in the Library copies of the material he considered in reaching his decision in respect of India and Pakistan; and if he will make a statement. [16433]

  Mr. Hanley
  It is not the practice to disclose ministerial correspondence between Departments. This is consistent with long-standing conventions of confidentiality observed by successive Governments.

  Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date he notified the Home Secretary of his decision about the designation of Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania; what was his decision in respect of each country; and if he will place in the Library copies of the material on which he reached his decision in respect of each country. [16432]

  Mr. Hanley
  It is not the practice to disclose ministerial correspondence between Departments. This is consistent with long-standing conventions of confidentiality observed by successive Governments.

  European Funds (Public Health Education)
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that European Commission funds are prudently allocated in the field of public health education. [15835]

  Mr. Horam
  I have been asked to reply.

  Following a decision by the Health Council, management committees have been established to oversee European Commission programmes of action on public health, including AIDS and communicable diseases. Officials on the committees representing UK Health Departments will seek to agree criteria to ensure that Community funds are prudently allocated for individual projects.

  Mrs. Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what funding was given by the Europe against AIDS unit of the European Commission to enable CSV Media to send St. Valentine's day cards containing condoms to right hon. Members; how many such cards were sent out throughout Europe; what was the purpose of this project; what percentage of the funding came from United Kingdom taxpayers; and what factors led the European Commission to(a) support this project and (b) accept no liability for the advice so disseminated. [15833]

  Mr. Horam
  I have been asked to reply.

  The European Commission contributed£145,000 towards the cost of this campaign which included the distribution of 330.000 Valentine's day cards throughout Europe. The purpose of the campaign was to promote AIDS awareness and safer sex amongst young people.

  239
  The United Kingdom Government made no direct contribution to the cost of the campaign, and it is therefore not possible to say what percentage of the funding came from UK taxpayers. We understand that the European Commission supported the project because of rising levels of HIV infection in Europe, and that the disclaimer on the Valentine's day card is a standard clause which the Commission require on all printed material which they fund.

  Mrs. Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to propose the abolition of the AIDS unit of the European Commission; and if he will make a statement. [15836]

  Mr. Horam
  I have been asked to reply.

  I have no such proposal.

  Mrs. Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he had with the European Commission prior to the decision being taken to proceed with the CVS Media project. [15834]

  Mr. Horam
  I have been asked to reply.

  I have had no consultations with the European Commission on this subject.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Scott Inquiry
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make changes in the personnel of his Department following criticisms contained in the report of the Scott inquiry. [16640]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  No.

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what communication he received from the secretary of the Scott inquiry concerning the time needed by the Opposition parties to scrutinise the Scott report; on what date he received such communications; what was the nature of the contents of letters; and if he will deposit copies of those letters in the Library. [16637]

  Mr. Evans
  I have received no communication from the secretary of the Scott inquiry concerning the time needed by Opposition parties to scrutinise the Scott report.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department at what hour and minute of which day the report of the Scott inquiry was delivered to his office. [16500]

  Mr. Evans
  The report of the Scott inquiry was delivered to my office at approximately 3 o'clock on the afternoon on Friday 16 February.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he first saw the report of the Scott inquiry. [16586]

  Mr. Evans
  I first saw the report of the Scott inquiry after it was published.

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord 240
  Chancellor's Department how he responded to communications received from Mr. Christopher Muttukumaru; what were the dates of the letters; and if he will deposit copies in the Library. [16639]

  Mr. Evans
  I have received no communication from Christopher Muttukumaru.

  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many persons and at what level in his Department were involved in considering the Government's response to the report of the Scott inquiry. [16643]

  Mr. Evans
  Access to the report itself was restricted to a very small number of officials in the main Departments concerned in accordance with the procedures agreed with the Scott inquiry. However, the Scott report covered a wide range of policy issues and a number of other officials will have contributed to preparation of the Government's response without sight of the report. It is not therefore possible to give their number or grades.

  Mrs. Kennedy
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much he estimates was the cost of the allocation of persons in his Department to the consideration of the Government's response to the Scott report. [16645]

  Mr. Evans
  Access to the report itself was restricted to a very small number of officials in the main Departments concerned in accordance with the procedures agreed with the Scott inquiry. However, the Scott report covered a wide range of policy issues and a number of other officials will have contributed to preparation of the Government's response without sight of the report. It is not therefore possible to give the cost of the work.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the members of his Department who saw the report of the Scott inquiry before it was presented to the House; and when each saw the report. [16531]

  Mr. Evans
  No member of this Department saw Sir Richard Scott's report before it was presented to the House.

  Press Gallery Writing Rooms
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department which Ministers in his Department entered the writing rooms of the Press Gallery on 15 February. [16475]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  I refer to the reply given today by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, column 242.

  Asylum and Immigration
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he will place in the Library copies of the draft procedural rules concerning asylum and immigration currently subject to consultation; and if he will make a statement. [16261]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Revised asylum appeals procedure rules are being prepared in the light of the recommendations in the report by the consultancy firm
  241
  KPMG Peat Marwick. The draft rules will be submitted to consultation and a copy placed in the Library as soon as the preparatory work has been concluded.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many representations(a) his Department and (b) the legal aid service has received in each of the last five years alleging that legal aid was being received by litigants or contestants of cases who were not qualified to receive it; and if he will make a statement on the measures his Department takes to ensure that legal aid goes only to those who qualify. [15449]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The legal aid assessment office of the Benefits Agency assesses the means of applicants for civil legal aid. In November 1990, it set up a special team to investigate representations alleging abuse of the scheme. Since that date it has received the following representations.

  Number

  November 1990-March 1991

  754

  April 1991-March 1992

  2,775

  April 1992-March 1993

  5,394

  April 1993-March 1994

  8,783

  April 1994-March 1995

  11,402

  April 1995-March 1996

  115,000

  1 Anticipated.

  A small number of these representations will originally have been channelled through my Department. All applications for civil legal aid are scrutinised carefully by the Legal Aid Board to ensure that the case has merit, and the legal aid assessment office to ensure that the applicant's means are within the prescribed limits. Allegations that legal aid is being received by those who do not qualify for it are investigated thoroughly.

  Unlawful Legislation
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many judgments handed down by the High Court in each year since 1987 have held that provisions of(a) primary and (b) secondary legislation were unlawful, giving in each case the sponsoring Department of the legislation and the court's reasons. [15648]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The question concerns a specific operational matter on which the chief executive of the Court Service is best placed to provide an answer and I have accordingly asked the chief executive to reply direct.

  Letter from M. D. Huebner to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 22 February 1996:
  The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, has asked me to reply to your Question about High Court judgments.
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Access to Children (Grandparents)
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proposals he has to give grandparents a legal right to have access to their grandchildren. [15471]
  242
  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Under the Children Act 1989, grandparents can already apply to a court for an order granting them contact with their grandchildren. The leave of the court is usually required to make such an application. In considering any application, the paramount consideration for the court is the welfare and best interests of the child.

  War Disability Pensions
  Mr. Jopling
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on how many occasions appeals by former officers in the armed services were heard by war disability pension tribunals in Newcastle in each of the last three years; how many cases were heard on each occasion; how many sittings he expects in 1996; and where else such hearings of this sort are heard in the north of England. [15465]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The information requested is as follows:

  Year

  Tribunal sittings at Newcastle

  Officer cases heard on each occasion

  1993

  2

  1

  1994

  2

  4

  1995

  1

  5

  The level of sittings at Newcastle depends on the number of appeals due to be heard there. There are currently five outstanding officer cases at Newcastle and at the present rate of such appeals the pensions appeal tribunals expect to arrange two sitting days at Newcastle in 1996.

  Officer cases are also heard at the following venues in the north of England: Chester, Leeds, Manchester and Middlesbrough.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Nursery School Places
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many new nursery school places will be created in Northern Ireland during 1996. [15027]

  Mr. Ancram
  Current plans are for 150 new full-time equivalent places, in Belfast and Londonderry.

  Action for Community Employment Scheme
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the application of policy appraisal and fair treatment guidelines to the funding of the action for community employment scheme. [15029]

  Mr. Ancram
  Policy appraisal and fair treatment guidelines have been applied to decisions regarding the funding of the action for community employment programme. The effect of the reduction in funding should not have a differential impact on the overall balance of the programme to PAFT target groups.

  Peace Process
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the peace process in Northern Ireland. [15030]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Members for Neath (Mr. Hain) and for Liverpool, West Derby (Mr. Wareing).

  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what recent meetings he has had with the Irish Deputy Prime Minister to discuss the peace process; [15032]

  (2) what recent meetings he has had with Irish Ministers regarding the peace initiative. [15042]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  Mr. Spring and I met at a two-part meeting of the Anglo-Irish intergovernmental conference which met initially in London on 1 February and concluded in Dublin on 7 February. Amongst other things we conducted an extensive review of all recent developments in the peace process.

  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received concerning the Mitchell report; and if he will make a statement. [15043]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Government have received a number of written and oral representations since the publication of the international body's report; these are being considered. The Government have welcomed and accepted the report, and intend to discuss its recommendations with the Northern Ireland parties.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received on the role of an elected body in the Northern Ireland peace process. [15038]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  I have received views on this proposal from a wide range of sources.

  Elected Convention
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made towards the establishment of an elected convention in Northern Ireland. [15031]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  In the absence of decommissioning, we believe that a broadly acceptable elective process represents one alternative direct way forward to all-party negotiations. We are continuing to explore the acceptability of these ideas with the relevant parties.

  Northern Ireland Committee
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has for a greater use of the Northern Ireland Committee. [15034]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  We are considering proposals that the procedures and remit of the Northern Ireland Committee should be developed in line with those of the Scottish and Welsh Grand Committees; but this could be 244
  done only after consultation with the Northern Ireland parties and any such arrangements would need to be reviewed if there were agreement leading to the establishment of new locally-accountable institutions in Northern Ireland.

  Politically Motivated Violence
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many incidents of politically motivated violence, with specific reference to punishment beatings and killings, have taken place since the publication of the Mitchell report. [15035]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The report of the international body was published on 24 January and since that date—up to 13 February—there has been one death in Northern Ireland resulting from terrorist activity. During this period there have also been 17 casualties resulting from so-called punishment attacks. Of these, nine have been attributed to loyalist and eight to republican groups.

  Housing
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the resource provisions for housing in Northern Ireland for 1995–96 and 1996–97. [15036]

  Mr. Moss
  The overall gross resources available for housing in Northern Ireland in 1996–97 are some£605 million which is£6 million more than in 1995–96.

  Aerospace Industry
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the prospects for the aerospace industry in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [15039]

  Mr. Ancram
  The aerospace industry in Northern Ireland is dominated by Short Brothers, owned by Bombardier, the Canadian company. Should the current crisis at Fokker not be resolved, jobs would be lost at Shorts but the company would not be at risk. It is a highly regarded cost competitive partner in many global ventures. Should Fokker continue in production, Shorts would be a serious contender for more contracts.

  Interviews (Tape Recording)
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has for the tape recording of interviews with terrorist suspects; and if he will make a statement. [15040]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Government have concluded that it would be possible to introduce silent video-recording of interviews with terrorist suspects, and my right hon. and learned Friend has recently announced his intention to do so. Provision for the silent video-recording of interviews with terrorist suspects was included in the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Bill at Report stage on 19 February.
  245
  However, after serious consideration the Government have concluded that it would not be right to introduce audio recording of interviews with terrorist suspects in Northern Ireland, given the serious risks to life were the tapes subsequently to come into the public domain.

  This measure will be a further addition to the wide range of safeguards already in place in the holding centres.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has to ensure that public appointments are balanced and representative. [15041]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Public appointments are made in accordance with the guidelines on public appointments in Northern Ireland which were revised in October 1995. These advise that public bodies should, as far as possible, reflect a broad community, gender, age and geographical balance. Appointments are, however, made on the basis of an individual's ability or potential to make a positive contribution to the work of the particular body concerned.

  The recently appointed Commissioner for Public Appointments in Northern Ireland—and in the rest of the United Kingdom—Sir Len Peach, will audit the public appointments process to ensure that it is operating in a fair and proper way.

  Campbell's Soups
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received about the boycott of Campbell's Soups in Northern Ireland. [15044]

  Mr. Ancram
  The hon. Member's representation to me in the House on 7 December is the only one of which I am aware.

  Employment and Economic Development
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consultations he is having with trade unions about the future of employment and economic development of Northern Ireland. [15045]

  Mr. Ancram
  My right hon. and learned Friend has useful, wide-ranging discussions with representatives of the Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions about employment and other matters, most recently when he met them on 19 December 1995.

  Ceasefire
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the level of observance of the ceasefire by organisations previously engaged in terrorism in the Province; and if he will make a statement. [15046]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The recent terrorist incidents in London, where three people lost their lives and scores of 246
  people have been injured, is a stark reminder of what terrorists are capable of.

  During the ceasefire period, terrorist organisations continued to engage in various criminal activities such as murder, punishment beatings, robberies and racketeering. They also continued to train and to target individuals and installations.

  The police have a good clear-up rate for terrorist crime and will make arrests whenever possible.

  Free School Transport
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the costs of free school transport in Northern Ireland; what assessment he has made of the research; and what policy proposals he has on free school transport. [15463]

  Mr. Ancram
  No independent research has been commissioned. In 1992 the Department of Education established a joint Department/education and library board working party to review the arrangements for the provision of assisted home-to-school transport in Northern Ireland and, as a result of this, arrangements were put in place to monitor on-going costs. A consultation paper outlining a number of options for reducing the escalating costs of transport was issued in December 1995.

  This consultation is on-going. In the interim, the existing arrangements remain unchanged.

  Pupil Performance
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what comparison he has made of the relative performance of pupils studying GCSEs and A-levels in Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom. [15028]

  Mr. Ancram
  Annual comparisons are made between pupil performance in Northern Ireland and England and Wales. Latest available comparison shows 87 per cent. of A-level pupils in Northern Ireland achieving at least two A-levels compared with 81 per cent. in England and 76 per cent. in Wales, and 51 per cent. of Northern Ireland pupils achieving five or more good GCSE grades compared with 44 per cent. in England and 41 per cent. in Wales.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which(a) have a statutory base, (b) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and (c) hold open meetings for the public; and if in each case this is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntarily. [16180]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information requested is as follows:
  247

  Executive Bodies: Department of Agriculture (NI)

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  (i)

  (ii)

  DANI NDPBs which have a statutory base

  Admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings

  Hold open meetings for the public

  Statutory requirement

  Voluntarily

  Fishery Harbour Authority

  No

  No

  n/a

  —

  Agricultural Wages Board

  No

  No

  n/a

  —

  Livestock and Meat Commission

  No

  No

  n/a

  —

  Fisheries Conservancy Board

  No

  No

  n/a

  —

  Agricultural Research Institute

  No

  —

  —

  Yes

  Foyle Fisheries Commission

  No

  No

  n/a

  —

  Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority

  No

  —

  —

  Yes

  (The Pig Production Development Committee is no longer considered to be an executive body. Its status will be amended in the "Public Bodies" publication at the next opportunity).

  Department of Education (Northern Ireland)

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  (i)

  (ii)

  DENI NDPBs which have a statutory base

  Admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings

  Hold open meetings for the public

  Statutory requirement

  Voluntarily

  Arts Council of Northern Ireland

  No

  No

  n/a

  —

  Council for Catholic Maintained Schools

  Yes (only to full Council meetings)

  No

  —

  Yes

  Trustees of the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

  No

  No

  n/a

  —

  Trustees of the Ulster Museum

  No

  No

  n/a

  —

  Staff Commission for Education and Library Boards

  Yes (other than a Teaching Appointments Committee meeting

  Yes (except where the nature of the business to be transacted would be prejudicial to the public interest)

  Yes

  —

  Belfast Education and Library Board

  North-Eastern Education and Library Board

  South-Eastern Education and Library Board

  Southern Education and Library Board

  Western Education and Library Board

  Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum Examinations and Assessment

  No

  No

  n/a

  —

  Sports Council for Northern Ireland

  No

  No

  n/a

  —

  Youth Council for Northern Ireland

  No

  No

  n/a

  —

  Department of Economic Development

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  (i)

  (ii)

  DED NDPBs which have a statutory base

  admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings

  hold open meetings for the public

  statutory requirement

  voluntarily

  Local Enterprise Development Unit

  No

  No

  n/a

  —

  Enterprise Ulster

  No

  No

  n/a

  —

  Construction Industry Training Board

  No

  No

  n/a

  —

  Ulster Sheltered Employment

  No

  No

  n/a

  —

  General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

  No

  Yes

  —

  Yes

  Labour Relations Agency

  No

  No

  n/a

  —

  Northern Ireland Commissioner of the Rights of Trade Union Members

  1n/a

  No

  n/a

  —

  Northern Ireland Commissioner for Protection against Unlawful Industrial Action

  1n/a

  No

  n/a

  —

  Northern Ireland Tourist Board

  No

  No

  n/a

  —

  Equal Opportunities Commission

  No

  No

  n/a

  —

  Fair Employment Commission

  No

  No

  n/a

  —

  1 Questions (b) and (c) are not relevant to the Commissioners above as they are both sole appointments with no board involvement.

  Department of Environment (Northern Ireland)

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  (i)

  (ii)

  (a) DOE NDPBs which have a statutory base

  Admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings

  Hold open meetings for the public

  Statutory requirement

  Voluntarily

  Fire Authority for Northern Ireland

  Yes

  No

  n/a

  —

  Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE)

  No

  Yes (specific area or proposal)

  n/a

  —

  Laganside Corporation

  No

  Yes (specific area or proposal)

  n/a

  —

  Northern Ireland Local Government Officers' Superannuation Committee (NILGOSC)

  No

  No

  n/a

  —

  Local Government Staff Commission (LGSC)

  No

  No

  n/a

  —

  248 249

  Department of Health and Social Services

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  (i)

  (ii)

  DHSS NDPBs which have a statutory base

  Admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings

  Hold open meetings for the public

  Statutory requirement

  Voluntarily

  Mental Health Commission

  No

  No

  n/a

  —

  National Board for Nursing Midwifery and Health Visiting for Northern Ireland

  No

  No

  n/a

  —

  Northern Ireland Council for Post-Graduate Medical and Dental Education

  No

  No

  n/a

  —

  In respect of all other executive non-departmental public bodies in Northern Ireland, the answer is nil.

  Secondary School Pupils
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of secondary school children in Northern Ireland attend grammar schools. [15026]

  Mr. Ancram
  Forty per cent. of secondary age pupils attend grammar schools.

  All-party Negotiations
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the progress towards all-party negotiations on Northern Ireland. [15033]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  The Government have been engaged in a series of intensive meetings with all the relevant parties to discuss their ideas on the way forward. Our aim is to achieve all-party negotiations leading to a comprehensive and widely acceptable political settlement in relation to Northern Ireland. These discussions are continuing.

  Registration of Clubs Order
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received regarding article 43 of the Registration of Clubs (Northern Ireland) Order 1996. [15017]

  Mr. Moss
  Up to 13 February, eight letters of complaint had been received.

  Ordnance Survey
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has commenced his review of the Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland. [17299]

  Mr. Moss
  The civil service White Paper, "Continuity and Change", published in 1994, introduced five-yearly reviews for next steps agencies such as the Ordnance Survey for Northern Ireland, OSNI. The first such review of the agency by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland has now begun.

  The review process will entail a thorough evaluation of the performance of the agency since its launch and a reappraisal of the various prior options, that is, abolition, privatisation, contractorisation, market testing and opportunities for rationalisation and merger.

  Comments and contributions will be sought from those with an interest in OSNI and its work by 12 April 1996.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Integrated Administration and Control System
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many IACS claims in the last year for which figures are available were(a) submitted and (b) paid in (i) the United Kingdom and (ii) the Yorkshire and Humberside region; how many of these claims were received after the deadline date and then paid; and what was their value. [15912]

  Mr. Baldry
  Details of IACS applications submitted in 1995 are as shown in the table:

  Northallerton

  UK

  RSC1

  Number of IACS applications submitted

  149,693

  11,837

  Number of IACS applications approved for AAPS payments or for processing of livestock payments2

  149,556

  11,833

  Number of IACS applications received after 15 May 1995 but before 6 June 19953

  1,497

  91

  Number of IACS applications received after 6 June 19954

  185

  12

  Value of payments made on late applications5

  Details not readily available

  1The figures shown for Northallerton regional service centre cover applications for Cleveland, Durham, Yorkshire and Humberside. Specific details for the Yorkshire and Humberside region are not readily available.

  2 The IACS area aid application forms the claim for arable area payments and the declaration of forage area in support of claims under the livestock schemes. Additional separate applications are required for claims under the beef special premium and suckler cow premium schemes and for hill livestock compensatory allowances.

  3 IACS applications received after 15 May but before 6 June 1995 receive reduced payments of 1 per cent, of entitlement to arable area aid and/or livestock premium for each working day that they are late.

  4 Applications received after 6 June 1995 lose entitlement to all aid or premium for each scheme that the application is related to. However, applicants for the beef special premium and suckler cow premium schemes may still be entitled to aid limited to 15 livestock units.

  5 Arable area payments and payments under livestock schemes are made separately. The value of payments linked to a late IACS application is not readily available, and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) when he received the dossier from Channel 4's "Dispatches" programme; and if his officials are conducting an investigation into the allegations that a local veterinary inspector failed properly to inspect calves being exported through Dover; [14418]
  251
  (2) if (a) Mr. Jonathan Stirling is and (b) other veterinarians working on his behalf are still acting as local veterinary inspectors in connection with the export of live farm animals. [14472]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 9 February 1996]: Documents have been received from Channel 4 over a period of time concerning the allegations made in the "Dispatches" programme. An inquiry into those allegations has been instigated by this Department. Mr. Stirling is still designated as a local veterinary inspector, as are other members of his practice, and continues to carry out his duties at the export lairages under close Ministry supervision.

  Sheep Farmers
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimates he has made of the number of persons entering sheep farming for the first time for each year since 1990; and what estimate he has made of the number and percentage who were over 40 years of age at the time. [15956]

  Mrs. Browning
  The Ministry does not collect information on the age and number of persons entering sheep farming and consequently no basis exists on which to make estimates.

  Fish Farming
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the current financial contribution to the economy of the fish farming industry. [16047]

  Mr. Baldry
  In 1994, the output of the UK fish farming industry was worth some£250 million at first sale.

  Chernobyl (Compensation)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the total amount of compensation paid by the Government to farmers in the United Kingdom in respect of the Chernobyl disaster; and if he will make a statement. [16323]

  Mrs. Browning
  As at 31 January 1996, the total amount of compensation paid under the sheep compensation scheme by the Government to farmers in the United Kingdom in respect of the Chernobyl disaster has been£12,096,842. The scheme was introduced in July 1986 to compensate farmers whose enterprises had been disrupted as a result of movement and slaughter restrictions associated with the Chernobyl accident.

  Salmon Season
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice he has received from the National Rivers Authority on the likely effect of delaying the start of the salmon season for(a) net and (b) rod and line fisheries; what recommendations he has received; and what further advice he has sought on this matter from the authority. [16427]

  Mr. Baldry
  In 1994, the Government's salmon advisory committee published a report on the run timing of salmon which, among other things, recommended that consideration be given to the protection, and perhaps 252
  enhancement, of early running salmon, particularly in stocks where spring runs have suffered the most acute decline. Actions that it suggested might be appropriate included additional controls of exploitation in both commercial and sport fisheries. Following publication of the report, my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, asked the National Rivers Authority to consider urgently whether, and if so what, action was needed to conserve the runs of spring run salmon in the fisheries for which it is responsible. In this context, he also asked the authority to reconsider the recommendation, in the report on salmon net fisheries presented to Parliament in 1991, that the opening date for the drift net fisheries of Northumbria and Yorkshire should be postponed until 1 May so as to reduce the level of exploitation of spring run salmon. Copies of the NRA's response to this request and my subsequent reply have been deposited in the Library of the House.

  Rustling
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment his Department has made of the incidence of rustling from United Kingdom farms. [16048]

  Mr. Maclean
  I have been asked to reply.

  Neither the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food nor the Home Office has made such an assessment.

TRANSPORT

  Train Cancellations
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many and what percentage of trains were cancelled on each of the former Network SouthEast lines in each four-week period during 1995. [14558]

  Mr. Watts
  The information requested has been placed in the Library.

  Train Delays
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many and what percentage of trains arrived more than five minutes late during peak hours on each of the former Network SouthEast lines in each four-week period during 1995. [14557]

  Mr. Watts
  The information requested has been placed in the Library.

  South Eastern Trains
  Sir Roger Moate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps have been taken by British Rail to advertise to likely bidders the need for new rolling stock for South Eastern Trains; and if he will make a statement. [15767]

  Mr. Watts
  The franchising director has asked specifically for tenders to include proposals for the provision of rolling stock for the full franchise term, including firm proposals for either replacement or life
  253
  extension of the class 411 rolling stock. The franchising director has also indicated that, where proposals are made for investment in new rolling stock, he will be prepared to consider extending the term of the franchise from the time at which the replacement rolling stock is committed irrevocably.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which are subject to(a) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, (b) scrutiny by the Audit Commission, (c) scrutiny by the National Audit Office, (d) statutory provisions for open government, (e) performance indicators and (f) provisions under the citizens charter. [16024]

  Mr. Norris
  Listed below are the answers for each of the Department of Transport's non-departmental public bodies.

  Trinity House Lighthouse Service—THLS:

  (a) is subject to investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner.

  (b) 1is subject to scrutiny by the Audit Commission.

  (c) 1is subject to scrutiny by the National Audit Office.

  (d) the statutory provisions for open government do not apply.

  (e) a system of performance indicators is currently the subject of discussion and should be implemented soon.

  (f) is encouraged to follow the principles of the citizen's charter.

  Northern Lights Board—NLB:

  (a) is subject to investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner.

  (b) 1is subject to scrutiny by the Audit Commission.

  (c) 1is subject to scrutiny by the National Audit Office.

  (d) the statutory provisions for open government do not apply.

  (e) a system of performance indicators is currently the subject of discussion and should be implemented soon.

  (f) is encouraged to follow the principles of the citizen's charter.

  London Regional Passengers Committee:

  (a) is subject to investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner.

  (b) is not subject to scrutiny by the Audit Commission.

  (c) is subject to scrutiny by the National Audit Office.

  (d) the statutory provisions for open government do not apply.

  (e) has no performance indicators.

  (f) is not subject to the provisions of the citizen's charter.

  Traffic Director for London:

  (a) is subject to investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner.

  254

  (b) 1is not subject to scrutiny by the Audit Commission.

  (c) 1is subject to scrutiny by the National Audit Office.

  (d) complies with the code of practice on open government.

  (e) has performance indicators.

  (f) is subject to the provisions of the citizen's charter.

  1Audit arrangements are set out in "Public Bodies 1995", a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which(a) have a statutory base, (b) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and (c) hold open meetings for the public; and if in each case this is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntarily. [16176]

  Mr. Norris
  Listed below are the answers for each of the Department of Transport's non-departmental public bodies.

  Trinity House Lighthouse Service—THLS:

  (a) has a statutory base;

  (b) there is no statutory right for the public to attend board;

  (c) there is no statutory requirement to hold open meetings in public.

  Northern Lights Board—NLB:

  (a) has a statutory base;

  (b) there is no statutory right for the public to attend board;

  (c) there is no statutory requirement to hold open meetings in public.

  London Regional Passengers Committee:

  (a) has a statutory base;

  (b) there is no board to which the public could be admitted;

  (c) no open meetings, as such, are held but voluntary arrangements were made to enable members of the public to attend meetings at the time of public consultation for the red route proposals.

  Traffic Director for London:

  (a) has a statutory base;

  (b) there is no statutory right for the public to attend board;

  (c) there is no statutory requirement to hold open meetings in public.

  BR Vendor Unit
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the sales completed by the BR vendor unit, with the name of purchaser and price paid in each case. [16228]

  Mr. Watts
  The sales completed by the British Railways Board are listed below. Those where the BR vendor unit has been involved are marked with an asterisk.

  Gross proceeds from the sale to date of businesses sold by BR amount to some£304 million. As explained in the Government's response of 14 December 1995 to the

  255
  Transport Committee's fourth report, on railway finances, it would be contrary to the commercial interests of British Rail and the Government to publish details of individual sales at this stage, as that may prejudice similar sales still in progress. Details of individual sales completed will be made public in due course.

  In addition to that figure, the sale of the rolling stock leasing companies, which was handled by my Department, realised£1,822.23 million.

  Train Carriages (Telephones)
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will institute consultations with the railway companies for the provision of no-telephoning carriages on trains. [16421]

  Mr. Watts
  No. Any restrictions on the use of telephones on trains is a matter for train operators.

  Colney Hospital, Norfolk
  Mr. Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions have been held between the Highways Agency and (i) the Norfolk and Norwich Health Care trust and (ii) the prospective developer of the proposed Colney hospital to discuss the possibility of an interchange on the A47 Norwich southern bypass; what response has been given by the agency; what is the estimated cost of such an interchange; and what advice the agency has given to the health care trust on the traffic implications of the proposed hospital for the A47 and A 11 trunk roads if no such interchange was constructed. [15644]

  Mr. Watts
  There has been no direct approach by the Norfolk and Norwich Health Care trust or the prospective developer of the proposed Colney hospital to the Highways Agency or its predecessor, the Department of Transport, about the possibility of an interchange on the A47 Norwich southern bypass.

  However, the Highways Agency is opposed to the proposal for an additional interchange. It would encourage the use of the bypass by local traffic to such an extent as to undermine its role as a trunk road route for longer distance traffic. It would also present engineering and road safety difficulties.

  No design work or survey has been carried out by the Highways Agency and therefore no estimate of the cost of an interchange can be given.

  South Norfolk district council has been asked to ensure that the Highways Agency is consulted when the planning application for the proposed hospital is submitted and that a traffic impact statement, TIS, be prepared by the developer covering the effect of generated traffic on the bypass and relevant junctions.

ENVIRONMENT

  Local Government Finance
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each metropolitan district council(a) the number of accommodation units in council ownership, (b) the total projected annual
  256
  income from these units, (c) the rent arrears for each of the last three years, (d) the total amount of council tax billed (e) the total amount of council tax arrears,(f) the total amount of community charge arrears and(g) the council's annual spend on managing its estates; what (i) guidance and (ii) incentives have been given to these authorities to reduce the levels of arrears; and if he will make a statement.[14912]

  Mr. Curry
  I have today placed in the Library a table detailing the requested information on the latest relevant basis for each metropolitan district council in England.

  The Government expect local authorities to pursue all arrears of rent, community charge and council tax that are collectable. It is in the interests of authorities to do so to restrict their level of borrowing and council tax bills overall. Authorities have a range of powers enabling them to enforce recovery of rent arrears, community charge and council tax arrears. They use these powers at their discretion and my Department has provided general guidance through practice notes and other advice. For example in October 1994 a research report "Rent Arrears in Local Authorities and Housing Associations" was issued by the Government to all local authorities; this contains good practice advice on preventing and managing rent arrears.

  The Government have introduced a range of measures to encourage authorities to maximise revenue collection, for example the ring-fencing of housing revenue accounts, penalising poor performers in the distribution of housing investment programme allocations and requiring publication of arrears information under the citizen's charter performance indictor regime set up by the Audit Commission.

  French Local Government
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will undertake an assessment of the contracte de ville system of local and central Government relations in France; and if he will make a statement on its applicability to the United Kingdom. [15171]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Government have no plans to carry out a formal assessment of the French contracte de ville system. However, we keep abreast of this and related policies in other countries through regular informal contacts and published literature. This includes a research study entitled, "Management Innovations in Urban Policy: Lessons from France" undertaken for the Local Government Management Board (1994).

  Environment Agency (Women)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps have been taken to find suitably qualified women to become members of the regional committees of the Environment Agency.[15620]

  Mr. Clappison
  As with all public appointments, individuals are selected on merit, which is in accordance with the recommendations of the Nolan committee. Before appointing the chairmen of the regional environment protection advisory committees in England, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State invited interested people to put forward nominations. He is taking full account of the contribution women can make to the
  257
  committees. We would expect the agency and other appointing authorities to take similar account in making their appointments.

  Recycling
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are his latest estimates of the percentage of(a) paper, (b) glass, (c) aluminium and (d) iron currently recycled in the United Kingdom; and what are the Government's targets for 2000. [15535]

  Mr. Clappison
  In 1993, the percentage of waste paper, glass, aluminium and iron recycled in the United Kingdom was as follows: paper; 32 per cent. glass, 29 per cent.; aluminium, 29 per cent. and iron, 42 per cent. The figures are expressed as a proportion of consumption and encompass all sources of these materials.

  The EC directive on packaging and packaging waste sets an overall recovery target for packaging waste of 50–65 per cent. with an overall recycling target of 25–45 per cent., and a minimum of 15 per cent. for each material, to be achieved by 2001. The Government's producer responsibility initiative has led to a number of industries setting themselves re-use and recovery targets, to be achieved by 2000. These include recycling 58 per cent. of packaging waste, recycling 50 per cent. of aluminium cans and 37 per cent. of steel cans, recycling 50 per cent. of glass containers and recovery of 90 per cent. of end-of-life vehicles. It is anticipated that these targets will contribute substantially to raising the overall recycling rates for paper, glass, aluminium and iron.

  Mr. Chris Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what official data are collected to identify proportions of waste recycled by(a) material and (b) local authority. [15434]

  Mr. Clappison
  No official data are collected centrally at present. However, information on the proportions of materials recycled is collated by relevant trade associations. Summaries of these data, where their provenance is clear, are published by the Department in the "Digest of Environmental Statistics". Information on local authority recycling is collated by a range of organisations, including the Audit Commission.

  In line with the targets set in "Making Waste Work", the Government's strategy for sustainable waste management, the Department is working with the Environment Agency, local authorities and other organisations to improve the quality of information available centrally.

  Pollution Monitoring
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the number of full-time employees involved in the United Kingdom in monitoring(a) air pollution, (b) water pollution and (c) solid waste disposal. [15534]

  Mr. Clappison
  This information is not available in the form requested. However, the Environment Agency, covering England and Wales, expects to have transferred to it on 1 April 1996 the following numbers of inspectors:

  (a) 277 from Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution;

  (b) 545 front the National Rivers Authority; and

  (c) 986 from local waste regulation authorities.

  258
  The figures for Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland respectively.

  Environment Agency
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the members and qualifications of the board of the Environment Agency; and what steps have been taken to inform industry and the public about the forthcoming work plan of the agency. [15621]

  Mr. Clappison
  Membership of the board is:

  Lord De Ramsey (Chairman)

  Sir Richard George (Deputy Chairman)

  Peter Burnham

  Professor Ronald Edwards

  Imtiaz Farookhi

  Edward Gallagher

  Nigel Haigh

  Christopher Hampson

  Councillor John Harman

  Mrs. Karen Morgan

  John Norris

  Derek Osborn

  Dr. Anne Powell

  Mrs. Joan Wykes.

  My right hon. Friend has announced his intention to appoint an industrialist to the remaining vacancy.

  Full information is not held centrally about individual members' formal qualifications.

  Prior to vesting on 1 April, the agency has had extensive contact with industry, environmental interest groups, local authorities and other public bodies about its role and plans. A formal launch was held on 6 February. The agency is currently preparing its corporate plan for 1997–98, which will include data for 1996–97. This will be published in the summer.

  The agency will be inviting comments from all interested parties to inform its future strategies and plans. In addition, the agency is contacting businesses to provide them with contact points.

  Government Buildings (Groundwater Damage)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration has been given to protect Government buildings in London below London Underground level from damage caused by rising groundwater; and if he will make a statement. [15977]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  A study of groundwater levels around Whitehall from 1989 to 1995 was initiated by the Construction Industry Research and Information Association and taken over by Property Holdings. It concluded that water levels rose and fell with the seasons but did not indicate any long-term rise in groundwater levels.

  Very few Government office buildings have basements extending down to the level of the London Underground bored tube railways.
  259
  Basements of all buildings are inspected regularly so that early sign of water penetration can be detected and dealt with. As far as we are aware, no building is currently in any imminent danger from rising groundwater.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which are subject to(a) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, (b) scrutiny by the Audit Commission, (c) scrutiny by the National Audit Office, (d) statutory provisions for open government, (e) performance indicators and (f) provisions under the citizens charter. [16015]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The executive non-departmental bodies sponsored by my Department are listed in the Cabinet Office publication "Public Bodies 1995". A copy is available in the House of Commons Library.

  I refer the hon. Member to my answer to him on Tuesday 25 April 1995, Official Report, column 474–75. Since then, Letchworth garden city corporation has ceased to be a public body and Leeds development corporation has been wound up. Otherwise, the position in respect of the bodies covered by that answer remains unchanged.

  Two new executive NDPBs have been established since April 1995, and my Department has taken on responsibility for the Health and Safety Commission and Executive. The local government residuary body is subject to the scrutiny of the Audit Commission. The Health and Safety Commission and Executive and the Environment Agency are subject to scrutiny by the National Audit Office. All four bodies are subject to the scrutiny of the Parliamentary Commissioner and are expected to adopt a code of practice on open government, have key performance measures and abide by the citizens charter.

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have a statutory base and which(a) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and (b) hold open meetings for the public; and whether in each case this is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntarily. [16031]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  A list of my Department's executive non-departmental public bodies can be found in the Cabinet Office publication "Public Bodies 1995". A copy is available in the House of Commons Library. All of these except the National Forest Company and the British Board of Agrement have a specific statutory base. None of my Department's executive NDPBs is under a statutory requirement to admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings. There is a statutory right for members of the public to attend meetings of the regional committees of the National Rivers Authority that discuss flood defence, fisheries and rivers issues except where business is of a confidential nature.

  All six housing action trusts voluntarily hold board meetings which are open to the public except when confidential issues are discussed. The following urban development corporations voluntarily hold open meetings
  260
  when considering planning applications: Birmingham heartlands, black country, Bristol, London docklands, Merseyside, Plymouth, Sheffield and Trafford park.

  Outer Estuarine Limit (Humber River)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will review the outer estuarine limit of the Humber; and when he expects to announce the result of that review. [14975]

  Mr. Clappison
  The National Rivers Authority has been asked to review the basis for establishing estuary boundaries for the purposes of the urban waste water treatment directive and advise my Department accordingly. It is envisaged that the Secretary of State will announce the results by the summer of this year.

  Colney Hospital, Norfolk
  Mr. Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when planning consent was granted by him for a second district hospital at Colney in South Norfolk district; when that permission expired; and if a new planning application will need to be referred to him. [15641]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Planning approval for a second district hospital at Colney in South Norfolk district was granted on 5 December 1988 and expired in December 1993. There are no proposals currently in front of the council, but as the adopted local plan makes provision for such a development, it is unlikely that any new planning application would need to be referred to my right hon. Friend.

  Planning Policies
  Mr. Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what planning policies concerning the location of facilities with wide catchment areas have been introduced since 1988. [15642]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Planning policy guidance note 13—PPG13—on transport, which was published in 1994, addresses the location of major travel generating developments. PPG13 advises that facilities with wide catchment areas should be located so that they are well served by public transport and as accessible as possible to those who need to use them. Other planning policy guidance notes have been issued since 1988 which address the location of specific types of development relative to transport provision.

  Mr. Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if the sequential test for location of employment and traffic-generating activities set out in his planning policy guidance note 6 applies to the location of hospitals where a local planning authority considers a planning application for a new hospital. [15643]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Our draft revised PPG6 suggests that a sequential approach should apply to key town centre uses which attract a substantial number of people. This will include hospitals in many instances.

  Agenda 21
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what resources have been deployed by his
  261
  Department to ensure compliance with the requirements of agenda 21 of the Rio de Janeiro summit; and if he will make a statement. [15944]

  Mr. Clappison
  It is one of my Department's main objectives, through the implementation of the United Kingdom sustainable development strategy, to ensure effective follow-up to agenda 21 and the agreements reached at the Earth summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992. The United Kingdom plays a leading role in international fora, such as the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and the environmental conventions, in helping to promote agreement on tackling global issues identified by agenda 21. The United Kingdom report to the Commission on Sustainable Development of 1996 gives details of estimated expenditure by the Department on sustainable development. A copy of the report has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans his Department has to co-ordinate local agenda 21 activities; which local authorities have reported that they are unlikely to be able to report on their plans by December 1996; and if he will make a statement. [15945]

  Mr. Clappison
  My Department welcomes and supports the local agenda 21 process. I understand that the Local Government Management Board, on behalf of the local agenda 21 steering group, has invited local authorities to send their local agenda 21 action plans agreed with their local communities to it by the end of 1996, and that response so far from UK local authorities has been good. Authorities are not obliged to report their progress to my Department, but we will continue to be interested in the progress being made.

  Global Warming
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his Department's current estimate of the increase in global average temperatures over the next(a) five and (b) 10 years; and what were the estimates by his Department in each of the past five years. [15941]

  Mr. Clappison
  The 1995 second scientific assessment from the intergovernmental panel on climate change—IPCC—suggests that the underlying rise in global average temperature will be about 0.1–0.2 deg C over the next decade. The actual temperature changes will be strongly affected by natural variability. The comparable estimate in the fist IPCC scientific assessment in 1990 was 0.3 deg C per decade; the 1995 estimate is lower because it has taken into account the cooling effect of aerosols produced by man-made sulphur dioxide emissions.

  Contaminated Land
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total tonnage of contaminated land in brownfield sites as reported by local authorities in England and Wales. [15782]

  Mr. Clappison
  Local authorities are not required to report the area or volume of contaminated land to the Department.

  Atmospheric Pollution
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the initiatives being taken by his Department to reduce levels of(a) carbon dioxide, (b) sulphur dioxide and (c) methane in the atmosphere; and if he will make a statement. [15937]

  Mr. Clappison
  The United Kingdom climate change programme, published in January 1994, set out a full list of the measures being taken to return emissions of carbon dioxide and methane in the UK to 1990 levels by 2000. A progress report on carbon dioxide emissions was published in December 1995.

  The UK published its programme and national plan for meeting its commitments under the EC large combustion plant directive to reduce sulphur dioxide emissions by 60 per cent. by 2003 compared with levels in 1980. We have agreed under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe protocol further to reduce total sulphur dioxide emissions from all sources by 80 per cent. by 2010 compared with 1980 levels. My Department will issue a consultation paper on the UK's strategy for meeting these targets shortly.

  Upper Atmosphere (Volcanic Dust)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has of the effect of volcanic dust in the earth's upper atmosphere and the equivalent information for 1990 and 1985. [15938]

  Mr. Clappison
  The effect on global climate of volcanic dust in the upper atmosphere in 1995, 1990 and 1985 was too small to be identified.

  Ozone Depletion
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimates he has made of the level of ozone depletion over the Antarctic and Arctic; what estimates he has made of ozone levels for(a) 2000 and (b) 2005; and if he will make a statement. [15939]

  Mr. Clappison
  Stratospheric ozone depletion occurs primarily in the spring. In 1995, the total amount of ozone was some 50 to 60 per cent. below normal over the Antarctic in October, and 20 to 30 per cent. below normal locally in the Arctic in March. In 2000 and 2005, total amounts of ozone in the Antarctic are expected to be similarly below normal, but may be up to 10 per cent. further below normal in the Arctic.

  During the next 50 years ozone levels are expected to return slowly to normal as a result of actions being taken under the Montreal protocol.

  Sea Levels
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his Department's estimate of mean sea levels for each five year period since 1965; and what estimates they have made for mean sea levels for(a) 2000 and (b) 2005. [15940]

  Mr. Clappison
  The second scientific assessment of the intergovernmental panel on climate change estimates that the global mean sea level has risen steadily by 18 cm over the past century. Over the next decade the underlying
  263
  rise is projected to be in the range 1 to 5 cm, although large natural variability at particular measurement sites will make this difficult to detect on this timescale.

  Yorkshire Water
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what are the terms of reference of his departmental review of Yorkshire Water; when the review begun; when it is expected to end; to whom will the conclusions of the review will be presented; if he will place a copy of the review in the Library; and if he will make a statement; [16429]

  (2) what plans he has to give (a) oral and (b) written evidence to the Yorkshire Water commission of inquiry chaired by Professor John Uff; [16431]

  (3) if he will make available the main conclusions of his Departmental review of Yorkshire Water to the commission of inquiry established by Yorkshire Water and chaired by Professor Uff. [16430]

  Mr. Clappison
  My Department is not conducting a review of Yorkshire Water.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has discussed with Professor Uff the inquiry which he has been asked by Yorkshire Water to conduct into the water supply situation in Yorkshire. Officials have provided him with published details setting out the programme of work being undertaken as part of the Department's wider review, but Ministers do not expect to be asked to give evidence.

  My right hon. Friend announced on 1 September a review of water resource arrangements in England and Wales in co-operation with the National Rivers Association, the Office of Water Services and the water industry. Work on this is continuing and we expect to publish its findings later this year.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the members of his Department who saw the report of the Scott inquiry before it was presented to the House; and when each saw the report. [16526]

  Mr. Gummer
  None.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he first saw the report of the Scott inquiry. [16591]

  Mr. Gummer
  On Thursday 15 February at 5.15 pm.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment at what hour and minute of what day the report of the Scott inquiry was delivered to his office. [16543]

  Mr. Gummer
  Copies of the report were collected from the Vote Office in the House of Commons just after 3.30 pm on Thursday 15 February. I received two further copies later that day.

  Press Gallery Writing Rooms
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which Ministers in his Department entered the writing rooms of the Press Gallery on 15 February. [16480]

  Mr. Gummer
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister earlier today, column 242.

  Zoo Licensing Act 1981
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to review the Zoo Licensing Act 1981. [17298]

  Mr. Clappison
  In consultation with the Scottish and Welsh Offices, my Department is about to embark on a review of the operation of this Act, which provides for a system of inspection and licensing of zoos in Great Britain. Views are being sought from the relevant local authority associations and other interested bodies. The review will also provide an opportunity to consider the European Commission's proposals for a recommendation on zoos, which are currently being considered by the Environment Council.

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list estimated total emissions of carbon dioxide for the United Kingdom in each year from 1980 to the present. [15583]

  Mr. Clappisaon
  The estimated United Kingdom annual emissions of carbon dioxide from 1980 to 1994 are:

  Million tonnes of carbon

  1980

  163

  1981

  157

  1982

  153

  1983

  151

  1984

  147

  1985

  153

  1986

  157

  1987

  158

  1988

  158

  1989

  155

  1990

  158

  1991

  160

  1992

  155

  1993

  151

  1994

  1149

  1 Provisional.

  Data on UK carbon dioxide emissions are published annually in the "Digest of Environmental Protection and Water Statistics" and "UK Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory". Estimates from 1990 use the methodology developed by the intergovernmental panel on climate change: those for earlier years are on a comparable, but slightly different, basis used by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. Figures on the IPCC' s methodology are not available for the earlier years.

  Oyster Beds
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 13 February,Official Report, columns 480–81, if he will list each native oyster bed according to its size in (a) percentage terms, (b) tonnage terms and (c) square area in (i) the United Kingdom and (ii) the EU ranked from largest to smallest. [15552]

  Mr. Baldry
  I have been asked to reply.

  In England and Wales areas which produce native oysters—O. edulis—and which will include in some cases more than one native oyster bed, are as follows:

  Area

  Size in percentage terms

  Square area (km)

  Solent

  38.00

  93.00

  North Kent Coast

  30.50

  75.00

  Crouch

  13.00

  31.00

  Poole

  2.80

  7.00

  Portsmouth Harbour

  2.50

  6.00

  West Mersea

  1.60

  4.00

  Chichester Harbour

  1.60

  4.00

  Langstone Harbour

  1.50

  4.00

  Porthcawl

  1.40

  3.50

  Percuil and Helford

  1.30

  3.00

  Falmouth

  1.00

  2.50

  Southampton Water

  1.00

  2.00

  Roach

  1.00

  2.00

  Swale

  1.00

  2.00

  Milford Haven

  0.70

  2.00

  Plymouth

  0.70

  2.00

  Walton Backwaters

  0.10

  0.30

  Butley

  0.10

  0.30

  Medina

  0.05

  0.10

  Truro

  0.05

  0.10

  Information on tonnage of native oysters harvested from these areas is not available.

  In Scotland the principal native oyster bed is situated in Loch Ryan and extends for some 9 sq km. In 1994, around 130 tonnes were harvested from this site. In Northern Ireland native oysters are cultivated at Strangford lough and Dundrum bay. The area of production is negligible and the quantity harvested is not available.

  Information on oyster beds in other member states of the EU is not available

SCOTLAND

  Agricultural Payments
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many payments he expects to be made in Scotland in 1995–96 for set-aside of between(a)£0 and£5,000, (b)£5,001 and£10,000, (c)£10,001 and£15,000, (d)£15,001 and£20,000, (e)£20,001 and£25,000,
  266
  (f)£25,001 and£50,000, (g)£50,001 and£75,000, (h)£75,001 and£100,000, (i)£100,001 and£150,000, (j)£150,001 and£200,000 and (k) over£200,001. [15335]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The distribution by size of payments against set-aside claims under the 1995 arable area payments scheme is not yet available as not all payments have been made in those cases where non-food crops have been grown on set-aside land. However, my noble Friend the Minister will write to the hon. Member when the figures requested are available.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many payments he expects to be made in Scotland in 1995–96 under the arable area payments scheme between(a)£0 and£5,000, (b)£5,001 and£10,000, (c)£10,001 and£15,000, (d)£15,001 and£20,000, (e)£20,001 and£25,000, (f)£25,001 and£50,000, (g)£50,001 and£75,000, (h)£75,001 and£100,000, (i)£100,001 and£150,000, (j)£150,001 and£200,000 (k)£200,001 and£250,000 (l)£250,001 and over. [15322]

  Mr. Robertson
  The distribution by size of total payments against claims under the 1995 arable area payments scheme is not yet available as the final oilseeds payments and some payments on non-food set-aside for the year have not yet been made. However, my noble Friend the Minister will write to the hon. Member when the figures are available.

  School Class Sizes
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many classes had(a) more than 30 pupils and (b) more than 35 pupils; what was the total number of classes within each authority; and what percentages (a) and (b) represented of the total number of classes for each education authority in Scotland and for each education division within Strathclyde for each academic year since 1979. [15715]

  Mr. Raymond S, Robertson
  As the information requested is lengthy I shall arrange for copies of it to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Court Service
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many High Court prosecutions have been conducted by the Lord Advocate and the Solicitor-General for Scotland in each of the last five years. [15721]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  There is no central of record of the number of occasions on which Lords the Advocate or Solicitors General for Scotland have represented the Crown in criminal proceedings. However, both the present office holders and their predecessors have appeared for the Crown in High Court trials and criminal appeal hearings. They have done so on numerous occasions, when their parliamentary and other duties have permitted.

  GP Fundholders
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Cardiff, West (Mr. Morgan) of 13 February 1996,Official Report, column 567, if he will list for each year and each health board the percentage of fundholding practices. [16044]
  267
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is set out in the table:

  1991

  'Live' fundholding practices1

  Practices in pilot and preparatory fundholding phases2

  Non-fundholding practices3

  Scotland

  0.2

  1.0

  98.8

  Argyll and Clyde

  —

  0.9

  99.1

  Ayrshire and Arran

  —

  —

  100.0

  Borders

  —

  —

  100.0

  Dumfries and Galloway

  —

  —

  100.0

  Fife

  —

  —

  100.0

  Forth Valley

  —

  —

  100.0

  Grampian

  —

  6.5

  93.5

  Greater Glasgow

  —

  —

  100.0

  Highland

  —

  —

  100.0

  Lanarkshire

  —

  —

  100.0

  Lothian

  1.4

  —

  98.6

  Orkney

  —

  —

  100.00

  Shetland

  —

  —

  100.0

  Tayside

  —

  4.9

  95.1

  Western Isles

  —

  —

  100.0

  1All 'live' standard fundholding practices and practices in the pilot phase of total purchasing.

  2 All practices in the preparatory phase of standard fundholding, small practice pilot and practices in the pilot phase of primary care purchasing.

  3All practices which are not in any phase of fundholding.

  1992

  'Live' fundholding practices1

  Practices in pilot and preparatory fundholding phases2

  Non-fundholding practices3

  Scotland

  1.2

  3.6

  95.2

  Argyll and Clyde

  1.0

  3.8

  95.2

  Ayrshire and Arran

  —

  3.1

  96.9

  Borders

  —

  —

  100.0

  Dumfries and Galloway

  —

  —

  100.0

  Fife

  —

  1.6

  98.4

  Forth Valley

  —

  3.6

  96.4

  Grampian

  6.7

  22.2

  71.1

  Greater Glasgow

  0.4

  0.4

  99.1

  Highland

  —

  1.4

  98.6

  Lanarkshire

  —

  2.2

  97.8

  Lothian

  1.5

  0.7

  97.8

  Orkney

  —

  —

  100.0

  Shetland

  —

  —

  100.0

  Tayside

  3.8

  6.3

  90.0

  Western Isles

  —

  —

  100.0

  1All 'live' standard fundholding practices and practices in the pilot phase of total purchasing.

  2All practices in the preparatory phase of standard fundholding, small practice pilot and practices in the pilot phase of primary care purchasing.

  3All practices which are not in any phase of fundholding.

  1993

  'Live' fundholding practices'

  Practices in pilot and preparatory fundholding phases2

  Non-fundholding practices3

  Scotland

  6.5

  3.9

  89.6

  Argyll and Clyde

  4.7

  —

  95.3

  Ayrshire and Arran

  6.3

  3.1

  90.6

  Borders

  4.2

  8.3

  87.5

  Dumfries and Galloway

  —

  2.8

  97.2

  Fife

  1.6

  3.3

  95.1

  Forth Valley

  3.6

  1.8

  94.5

  Grampian

  28.9

  13.3

  57.8

  Greater Glasgow

  0.9

  5.4

  93.8

  Highland

  4

  1.3

  94.7

  Lanarkshire

  7.5

  4.3

  88.2

  Lothian

  6.6

  3.7

  89.7

  Orkney

  —

  —

  100.0

  Shetland

  —

  —

  100.0

  268

  1993

  'Live' fundholding practices1

  Practices in pilot and preparatory fundholding phases2

  Non -fundholding practices3

  Tayside

  13.2

  —

  86.8

  Western Isles

  —

  —

  100.0

  1All 'live' standard fundholding practices and practices in the pilot phase of total purchasing.

  2All practices in the preparatory phase of standard fundholding, small practice pilot and practices in the pilot phase of primary care purchasing.

  3All practices which are not in any phase of fundholding.

  1994

  'Live' fundholding practices1

  Practices in pilot and preparatory fundholding phases2

  Non-fundholding practices3

  Scotland

  11.7

  2.7

  85.6

  Argyll and Clyde

  4.8

  —

  95.2

  Ayrshire and Arran

  7.8

  —

  92.2

  Borders

  13.0

  —

  87.0

  Dumfries and Galloway

  2.8

  5.6

  91.7

  Fife

  4.9

  3.3

  91.8

  Forth Valley

  7.3

  1.8

  90.9

  Grampian

  43.3

  —

  56.7

  Greater Glasgow

  5.4

  8.1

  86.5

  Highland

  9.3

  —

  90.7

  Lanarkshire

  15.1

  2.2

  82.8

  Lothian

  16.2

  2.2

  81.6

  Orkney

  —

  —

  100.0

  Shetland

  —

  —

  100.0

  Tayside

  14.1

  1.3

  84.6

  Western Isles

  —

  —

  100.0

  1All 'live' standard fundholding practices and practices in the pilot phase of total purchasing.

  2All practices in the preparatory phase of standard fundholding, small practice pilot and practices in the pilot phase of primary care purchasing.

  3All practices which are not in any phase of fundholding.

  1995

  'Live' fundholding practices1

  Practices in pilot and preparatory fundholding phases2

  Non-fundholding practices3

  Scotland

  14.5

  10.0

  75.5

  Argyll and Clyde

  4.8

  12.4

  82.9

  Ayrshire and Arran

  7.9

  3.2

  88.9

  Borders

  13.0

  17.4

  69.6

  Dumfries and Galloway

  8.3

  17.4

  75.0

  Fife

  7.9

  17.5

  74.6

  Forth Valley

  7.3

  14.5

  78.2

  Grampian

  43.8

  3.4

  52.8

  Greater Glasgow

  13.4

  13.4

  73.2

  Highland

  6.7

  17.3

  76.0

  Lanarkshire

  17.2

  1.1

  81.7

  Lothian

  21.5

  5.2

  73.3

  Orkney

  —

  —

  100.0

  Shetland

  —

  —

  100.0

  Tayside

  15.4

  10.3

  74.4

  Western Isles

  —

  13.3

  86.7

  1All 'live' standard fundholding practices and practices in the pilot phase of total purchasing.

  2All practices in the preparatory phase of standard fundholding, small practice pilot and practices in the pilot phase of primary care purchasing.

  3All practices which are not in any phase of fundholding.

  Glenochil Prison
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will conduct an inquiry into the actions of the Crown Office and Prison Service in respect of court proceedings following disturbances at Glenochil prison. [15441]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate has considered a report from the trial advocate depute. He is satisfied that the decision to prosecute those charged with involvement in the riot at Glenochil prison on 4 and 5 January 1994 was correct and that the trial was conducted properly. The Crown Office and the Scottish Prison Service are examining whether this case has implications for the handling of future cases.

  Palace of Holyroodhouse
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how often the palace of Holyroodhouse has been occupied by a member of the royal family during the past three years; and what other use is made of the palace. [16200]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 20 February 1996]The palace was occupied by members of the royal family on 65 days during the three years 1993 to 1995 and on 24 days by the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. The palace was open to the public on most other days except for a few days before and after visits by the Queen and the Lord High Commissioner and for the first eight weeks of 1993 during reinstatement following the meeting of the European Council held at the palace in December 1992. Within the palace are the apartments of the hereditary keeper.

  Fisheries
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications for financial assistance under the financial instrument for fisheries guidance have been approved since 1 July 1994; and what is their grant value. [16286]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  One hundred and one applications to the value of£11.5 million in grants have been approved under the financial instrument for fisheries guidance since 1 July 1994.

HEALTH

  Thalidomide
  Mr. Loyden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the hospital trusts which have purchased the drug thalidomide directly or indirectly from companies in Brazil. [15898]

  Mr. Malone
  This information is not available centrally.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which are subject to(a) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, (b) scrutiny by the Audit Commission, (c) scrutiny by the
  270
  National Audit Office, (d) statutory provisions for open government, (e) performance indicators and (f) provisions under the citizens charter. [16013]

  Mr. Horam
  The information is as follows.

  Those NDPBs that are:

  Subject to investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner are:

  Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work;

  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority;

  Medical Practices Committee.

  Subject to scrutiny by the Audit Commission are:

  English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting;

  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.

  Subject to scrutiny by the National Audit Office are:

  Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work;

  English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting;

  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority;

  National Biological Standards Board;

  National Radiological Protection Board.

  Public Health Laboratory Services Board.

  Subject to statutory provisions for open government are:

  Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work;

  English National Board for Nursing. Midwifery and Health Visiting;

  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.

  Subject to performance indicators are:

  Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work;

  English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting;

  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority;

  National Biological Standards Board;

  National Radiological Protection Board;

  Public Health Laboratory Services Board.

  Subject to provisions under the Citizen's Charter:

  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which(a) have a statutory base, (b) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and (c) hold open meetings for the public; and if in each case this is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntarily. [16183]

  Mr. Horam
  The information is as follows:

  Those non-departmental public bodies:

  Which have a statutory base are:

  Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work;

  English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting;

  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority;

  Medical Practices Committee;

  National Biological Standards Board;

  National Radiological Protection Board;

  Public Health Laboratory Services Board.

  Which admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings:

  (i) under a statutory requirement—none;

  (ii) voluntarily-—Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work.

  271

  Which hold open meetings for the public:

  (i) under a statutory requirement—none;

  (ii) voluntarily—English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting.

  Departmental Offices
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many square feet of offices there are at(a) the Yorkshire regional health authority headquarters at Park parade, Harrogate and (b) the Northern regional health authority headquarters at Benfield road, Newcastle. [16067]

  Mr. Malone
  The total area of office accommodation, including circulation area, at the former Yorkshire regional health authority headquarters at Park parade, Harrogate is 6,299 sq m. The total area of office accommodation, including circulation area, at the former Northern regional health authority headquarters at Benfield road, Newcastle is 4,303 sq m.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 1 February,Official Report, column 919, how many square feet of office accommodation will be built for the Northern and Yorkshire regional office of the NHS executive as a result of the initial contract; what additional works have been specified since the initial contract was signed with the developer; how much the additional works will cost; and how many additional square feet of offices the additional works will provide. [16149]

  Mr. Malone
  The internal floor area of the Northern and Yorkshire regional office will be 2,160 sq m. No additional works have been specified since the contract was signed; therefore, no additional cost will be incurred and no additional space will be provided.

  Yorkshire Cancer Organisation
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assistance and at which locations the NHS executive is providing in respect of accommodation for the Yorkshire Cancer Organisation. [16068]

  Mr. Horam
  The Yorkshire Cancer Organisation is presently funded by Northern and Yorkshire regional health authority. For 1996–97, it will be funded jointly by the health authorities in that region. The organisation is located in Leeds.

  Community Health Services, Trent
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the amount of funding that Trent region received for funding community health services in each of the last three years; how much it will receive this year; and what proportion of this will be allocated to Sheffield health authority. [16046]

  Mr. Horam
  Revenue allocations are made to health authorities for hospital and community health services as a whole. There is no separate allocation of funds for community health services.

  Wheelchair Voucher Scheme
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to be able to announce a decision on the proposal to introduce a wheelchair voucher scheme for people using the NHS wheelchair service. [17297]

  Mr. Bowis
  I have considered carefully the findings of the departmental working group set up to look at the feasibility of introducing such a scheme, and I will be making a full announcement about this tomorrow at 11 am. Copies of the relevant papers will be available in the Vote Office and in the Library.

  Colney Hospital, Norfolk
  Mr. Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what sums have been made available to the Norfolk and Norwich Health Care NHS trust for expenditure on traffic and transport consultants in connection with a new hospital at Colney in South Norfolk district; and what representations he has received on the compliance of the proposals with planning policy guidance 13. [15960]

  Mr. Horam
  This is a local matter. The provision of local services is a matter for local managers. The hon. Member may wish to contact Sir Stuart Burgess, chairman of Anglia and Oxford regional health authority, for details.

  Planning permission for any hospital development has to be obtained from the local planning authority, which must take account of the contents of planning policy guidance notes. The planning application is a matter between the local planning authority and the trust.

  Mr. Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS staff are employed by the Norfolk and Norwich Health Care NHS trust at(a) the Norfolk and Norwich hospital and (b) West Norwich hospital; and what estimate he has made of the number of staff to be employed at Colney hospital after the closure of the Norfolk and Norwich and West Norwich hospitals. [15691]

  Mr. Horam
  Information on staffing levels at individual hospitals is not available centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. Malcolm Falcon CBE, chairman of Norfolk and Norwich Health Care national health service trust, for details.

  Norfolk and Norwich Health Care NHS trust submitted its formal business case for building a new hospital at the end of January. Given the size of the proposed project, the business case will be considered by officials at both the NHS executive and HM Treasury before it is passed to Ministers for final approval. I cannot comment further until all aspects of the business case have been fully considered.

  Yorkshire Hospitals (Waste)
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the total amount in weight of toxic waste produced annually by hospitals in Yorkshire; [15781]

  (2) what is the total amount in weight of inert or inactive waste produced annually by hospitals in Yorkshire. [15783]
  273
  Mr. Horam
  This information is not available centrally.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To asks the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the members of his Department who saw the report of the Scott inquiry before it was presented to the House; and when each saw the report. [16528]

  Mr. Dorrell
  None.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health at what hour and minute of which day the report of the Scott inquiry was delivered to his office. [16503]

  Mr. Dorrell
  At approximately 4.20 pm on Thursday 15 February.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he first saw the report of the Scott inquiry. [16589]

  Mr. Dorrell
  After it was delivered to my office at approximately 4.20 pm on Thursday 15 February.

  Whipp's Cross Hospital
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what investigations he has carried out into the procurement process relating to imaging equipment for the day unit of Whipp's Cross hospital; and to what extent the process was in line with the Public Supply Contract Regulations 1995. [16714]

  Mr. Horam
  The procurement of imaging equipment is a matter for Forest Healthcare national health service trust. The hon. Member may wish to contact Lord Jenkin of Roding, chairman of the trust, for details.

  Out-of-hours Treatment
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department gives financial assistance to schemes for out-of-hours service in general practice under which all or most patients are required to attend at a centre for treatment; in what circumstances he(a) sets and (b) advises health authorities to set conditions under which a patient is entitled to expect a home visit for out-of-hours treatment; and if he will make a statement. [16424]

  Mr. Malone
  All general practitioners may apply for reimbursements, from family health services authority out-of- hours development funds, of expenses incurred in providing out-of-hours services which maintain or improve standards of care for patients out of surgery hours and which reduce pressure on individual GPs and/or make more cost-effective use of GP time. This may include reimbursement of the costs incurred in using a primary care centre. The criteria governing the appropriate location of an out-of-hours consultation are set out in the NHS (GMS) Regulations 1992, as amended.

  Residential Care
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what was the total in real terms of assets sold by old people to pay for residential care in each of the last five years; and what was in each case the percentage change from the previous year; [16435]
  274
  (2) how many people sold their homes to pay for residential care in 1995–96; and what estimate he has made for the number in 1996–97; [16436]

  (3) how many people. having sold their assets to pay for residential care, exhausted their funds in the last year for which figures are available; and how many such people remained in the same residential home. [16438]

  Mr. Bowis
  The information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of(a) over-65s and (b) over-80s need residential care. [16437]

  Mr. Bowis
  Information available centrally relates to people receiving residential care in residential care homes. At 31 March 1995, in England, the number of residents in such accommodation aged 65 and over was 220,400, 75 and over 195,700 and 85 and over 118,900 representing 2.9, 5.8, and 13.8 per cent. of the relevant mid-1994 populations respectively.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision exists to assist elderly people who have sold all their assets and subsequently exhaust their funds to remain in the same residential home. [16434]

  Mr. Bowis
  Since April 1993, local authorities have had a responsibility to arrange accommodation in residential care and nursing homes for elderly people who, for whatever reason, are assessed as needing such care but are unable to meet the cost. Such people have the right to choose which home this care is provided in, subject to availability, cost and appropriateness of the home to the level of care needed.

  Press Gallery Writing Rooms
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which Ministers in his Department entered the writing rooms of the Press Gallery on 15 February. [16478]

  Mr. Dorrell
  If any Ministers did so, that is a matter for them.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  British Library
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when she intends to publish the reports on the British Library drawn up by(a) Sir Peter Levene, (b) Sir Kenneth Eaton, (c) consultants Kennedy and Donkin and (d) consultants TBV. [16217]

  Mr. Sproat
  The efficiency unit scrutiny of construction procurement by the Government, which included the British library construction project as one of its case studies, was published on 7 November 1995 and is available for purchase through Her Majesty's Stationery Office bookshops. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State also sought advice from Sir Peter Levene on the progress of the construction project. As a result, Sir Kenneth Eaton was asked by the Department to undertake a short review and reported back in March 1995. My right hon. Friend does not intend to publish the report by Sir Kenneth Eaton and Kennedy and Donkin. Sir Kenneth Eaton provided confidential advice to Ministers and the Kennedy and Donkin report contained commercially
  275
  sensitive information, some of which could be the subject of future litigation. TBV Consult, formerly the Property Services Agency, is in contract with the Department of National Heritage to provide on-going project management services and, as such has not been commissioned to produce consultant reports.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when the British library reading rooms will be provided with open access to the world-wide sourced scientific technological and manufacturing journals, periodicals and books, classified as to subject matter. [16221]

  Mr. Sproat
  The British library's science reference and information service currently makes available to readers, on open access in its reading rooms, the most recently published material from its collections in these categories, and will continue to do so following the move of the library's science collections to the new building at St. Pancras. Older material can be obtained for readers on request. The open access material is classified according to a scheme developed specifically for scientific and technical literature.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what has been the total expenditure on buildings and fitments since 1972 on the British library's document supply centre. [16069]

  Mr. Sproat
  Expenditure on accommodation for the document supply centre over the last five years is set out in the table:

  £000

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1994–95

  1995–961

  Rent and rates

  119

  150

  152

  145

  147

  Utilities

  219

  288

  265

  275

  251

  Building maintenance

  488

  435

  558

  712

  526

  Professional and estate fees

  205

  94

  158

  227

  201

  Cleaning

  185

  197

  243

  229

  198

  Total

  1,216

  1,164

  1,376

  1,589

  1,324

  1Estimate.

  No capital costs have been incurred in relation to document supply centre accommodation during this period. Information in this format in relation to earlier years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many notices of intention to implement redundancy have been serviced by the British library by reading room and location. [16219]

  Mr. Sproat
  The British library has served no redundancy notices on members of staff. The chief executive has informed library staff of the need to reduce the overall staff number over the next four years, and invited all staff to consider whether they wish to indicate an initial expression of interest in voluntary redundancy.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what monitoring she has carried out in relation to binding costs for books and journals at the British library. [16210]
  276
  Mr. Sproat
  My right hon. Friend does not routinely monitor the costs to the British library of binding books and journals, but the library reports to her annually on its performance. The most recent such report, for the financial year 1994–95, includes information on the number of volumes bound and on unit binding costs in the form of comparisons of performance during the year with plans before the year began. The library monitors unit costs for binding each month.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on the operation of the subject matter classification system used for British library holdings of books and journals and the time span of the systems utilised. [16071]

  Mr. Sproat
  The British library's science reference and information service provides readers with open access to a significant proportion of the material in its collections. The classification scheme used for open access material was originally introduced in the 1960s, and was developed specifically for scientific and technical literature by the national reference library for science and invention, which then held the science collections which are now part of the British library. The scheme is regularly updated to take account of developments in scientific disciplines. For general reference books which will be held on open access in the library's humanities reading rooms at the new St. Pancras building, the library is proposing to arrange material according to the Dewey decimal classification scheme, with an index based on library of Congress subject headings.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what revenues have been derived from reader-operated photocopier machines in the British library. [16072]

  Mr. Sproat
  income to the British library for the last two years from charges for photocopier machines operated by readers is set out in the table:

  £000

  1994–95

  11995–96

  Newspaper library

  19

  21

  Science reference and information service

  217

  228

  Humanities and social sciences

  98

  93

  National sound archive

  2

  2

  Oriental and India Office collections

  18

  18

  British library information science service

  2

  2

  Document supply centre

  16

  16

  Total

  372

  380

  1Estimated.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what has been the total number of(a) reader visits to and (b) holdings at the corn merchants store conversion in relation to the British library's document supply centre since 1979. [16070]

  Mr. Sproat
  Building 23 on the Library's site at Boston Spa in Yorkshire, which was known before conversion as the corn store, is used to store books published before 1980 for the library's document supply centre. The total linear storage capacity of its shelves is 45.75 km, 31.13 km of which is currently taken up by books. Building 23 is not itself designed to accommodate
  277
  readers, but the annual number of reader visits to the document supply centre's reading room since 1985–86 is set out in the table:

  Year

  Number of reader visits

  1985–86

  4,605

  1986–87

  4,347

  1987–88

  4,502

  1988–89

  5,131

  1989–90

  5,688

  1990–91

  6,735

  1991–92

  7,403

  1992–93

  8,112

  1993–94

  9,210

  1994–95

  9,890

  1995–96

  110,580

  1Estimated.

  Information is not available in this format for earlier years.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what provision has been made for the supply of books and journals from remote locations throughout the world to the British library. [16215]

  Mr. Sproat
  The British library's document supply centre obtains items on loan from other libraries throughout the world for use in the British library's reading rooms or in other libraries in the United Kingdom. The library currently obtains some 7,000 items annually for readers in the United Kingdom in this way.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when the British library reading rooms supplying information for scientific research, manufacturing industry and technological innovation will be supplied with equipment allowing reader access to the Internet. [16220]

  Mr. Sproat
  The British library is considering, taking account of considerations such as the additional costs involved, how information on matters such as science, technology and business which is available on the Internet might be made available directly to readers. At present, staff in the library's science reference and information service have access tot he Internet which they may use in providing information to readers.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what reports she has received in relation to public surveys of reader groups and their requirements and the extent to which these factors were taken into account in planning of services at the British library. [16211]

  Mr. Sproat
  The British library consults extensively with its users through its advisory committees and by means of surveys of users, individual research projects, consultative papers, focus groups, open days and newsletters. The library's code of service sets out the standards which the library's users can expect, and provides them with the opportunity to comment on both the range and the level of the library's services. My right hon. Friend does not routinely receive reports on the results of these activities, but she expects the library to report to her on the range of services which the library 278
  provides, on service levels, and on readers' needs, as part of the annual process of planning and review of performance.

  British Library and Patent Office
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment she has made as to compliance by the British library with rule 34 of the patent co-operation treaty regulations in terms of open access to documents. [16222]

  Mr. Sproat
  Rule 34 of the patent co-operation treaty does not impose any obligations on the United Kingdom as to the maintenance of a collection of documents, or as to access to such a collection. The British library does, however, take note of rule 34 and provides access to its collections of patents and journals either by way of immediate open access, or from remote storage on request.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans she has for the future use of Southampton buildings, Holborn, following vacation by the British library and Patent Office. [16213]

  Mr. Sproat
  The current occupants of 25 Southampton buildings, Holborn are the British library, the Patent Office and the Office of Fair Trading. The British library's collections housed there will move to the library's new building at St. Pancras following completion of that building. The Government are considering the future of 25 Southampton buildings.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans she has for the location and provision of an open access library containing world patent and scientific information free at the point of use in respect of the British library. [16214]

  Mr. Sproat
  The British library's collections of world patents and of scientific literature are at present available for consultation free of charge at the library's reading rooms in Holborn and Aldwych. A large proportion of patents and scientific literature is available on open access. The collections will be moved to the library's new building at St. Pancras once the building has been completed. Following the move, they will be available for consultation at the reading rooms in the new building. The library has no current plans to introduce charges for consultation of material in its reading rooms.

WALES

  Late Payments of Debts
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the impact on Welsh firms of late payment by Government Departments. [16186]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  In 1995–96, the Welsh Office paid 95 per cent. of its bills within the normal 30-day period or the contract terms. Except where the invoice is disputed, the remainder will have been paid shortly thereafter.

  Minority Languages.
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his policy towards the Council of Europe's charter on minority languages. [15567]

  Mr. Hague
  [holding answer 19 February 1996]The Government are currently considering whether to sign the charter.

  Business Failures
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for the last two available years the number of business failures for(a) each principal industrial sector and (b) for Wales as a whole; and if he will make a statement. [15879]

  Mr. Hague
  Official statistics on business failures are not available separately for Wales.

  Company Grants
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the practice of relocation by companies in search of grants between areas in Wales and other areas where grants are available. [16223]

  Mr. Hague
  Regional selective assistance is not normally available for projects which merely involve the transfer of jobs from one area to another.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which(a) have a statutory base, (b) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and (c) hold open meetings for the public; and if in each case this is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntarily. [16174]

  Mr. Hague
  (a) The Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales, the Countryside Council for Wales, the Cardiff Bay development corporation, the Development Board for Rural Wales, the Further and Higher Education Funding Council, Housing for Wales, the Land Authority for Wales, the Residuary Body for Wales, the Welsh Development Agency, the Welsh Language Board, the Welsh National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting, the Wales tourist board and the agricultural wages committees are all established by statute. Other bodies are established under royal warrant or royal charter.

  (b) Only the Residuary Body for Wales, as a levying body, is bound by a statutory requirement, under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, to open its board meetings to the public. The public are allowed access to board meetings of CBDC, LAW and WNB but are asked to leave if confidential matters are to be discussed.

  (c) No NDPB is statutorily required to hold open meetings for the public; CCW, the national library of Wales and the national museum of Wales—NMW—hold such meetings voluntarily.

  Tandem plc
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list all grants made by development 280
  agencies and other Government-funded bodies in Wales to Tandem plc and its subsidiaries including British Eagle Cycles of Newtown; and if he will make a statement. [16206]

  Mr. Hague
  No grants have been paid to Tandem plc or its subsidiaries, other than the grant paid to British Eagle Cycles by the Development Board for Rural Wales, to which I referred in my answer to the hon. and learned Member on 16 February, column 732.

  Press Gallery Writing Rooms
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which Ministers in his Department entered the writing rooms of the Press Gallery on 15 February. [16473]

  Mr. Hague
  If any Ministers did so, that is a matter for them.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the members of his Department who saw the report of the Scott inquiry before it was presented to the House; and when each saw the report. [16538]

  Mr. Hague
  No one.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he first saw the report of the Scott inquiry. [16580]

  Mr. Hague
  Approximately 16.15 on Thursday 15 February 1996.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales at what hour and minute of which day the report of the Scott inquiry was delivered to his office. [16495]

  Mr. Hague
  Approximately 16.15 on Thursday 15 February 1996.

  Ambulance Trusts
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what guidelines he has issued to the chairmen of the Welsh ambulance trusts in relation to the payment of the bonuses for senior executives of trusts related to financial performance; and if he will make a statement. [16426]

  Mr. Hague
  I have published a code of conduct and accountability which makes it clear to trust boards that they are responsible for ensuring that total remuneration, which includes bonuses, to senior staff can be justified as reasonable. I have placed a copy of the code of conduct and accountability in the Library of the House.

  South-East Wales Ambulance Trust
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with(a) the outgoing chairman and (b) the incoming chairman of the South-East Wales ambulance trust concerning the payment of bonuses to the chief executive, finance director and operations director for the year 1994–95 for achieving financial break-even. [16423]

  Mr. Hague
  I have had no such consultations. The payment of bonuses is a matter for the trust.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultation he had with the out-going chairman of
  281
  the South East Wales ambulance trust concerning the impact of his agreement on deferral of the dividend payment on the trust's capital on the calculation of the financial break-even point for the trust. [16420]

  Mr. Hague
  None. My officials have maintained close contact with the trust since its financial problems became apparent. Appropriate decisions to defer dividend payments were taken to safeguard patient services and the long-term viability of the trust.

  Mr. Glyn Davies
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the payments of(a) salary, (b) expenses and (c) other emoluments to Mr. Glyn Davies in respect of membership of (i) the Development Board for Rural Wales and (ii) other public appointments between 1985 and 1995. [15221]

  Mr. Hague
  [holding answer 15 February 1996]Mr. Glyn Davies was appointed as a board member of the Development Board for Rural Wales on 8 July 1986. He was subsequently appointed chairman of the DBRW on 1 April 1989 and at the same time was appointed as a board member of the Wales tourist board and an ex officio board member of the Welsh Development Agency. Mr. Davies resigned from all three appointments on 12 May 1994. Payments made to Mr. Davies in respect of these appointments are listed in the following table:

  Payments made to Mr. Glyn Davies

  Salary£

  Expenses£

  Other emoluments£

  DBRW member

  1986–87

  3,173.31

  573.45

  —

  1987–88

  4,535.00

  0

  —

  1988–89

  4,757.50

  0

  —

  DBRW chairman

  1989–90

  25,445.00

  5,665.70

  —

  1990–91

  27,042.00

  4,826.70

  —

  1991–92

  29,471.63

  4,739.36

  —

  1992–93

  31,025.04

  6,940.80

  —

  1993–94

  31,924.94

  6,685.14

  —

  1994–95

  3,604.00

  1,201.95

  —

  WTB member

  1989–90

  5,030.00

  905

  —

  1990–91

  5,347.00

  523

  —

  1991–92

  5,793.00

  1,268.00

  —

  1992–93

  6,135.00

  1,076.00

  —

  1993–94

  6,315.00

  1,189.00

  —

  1994–95

  741.53

  287

  —

  WDA member1

  1994–95

  —

  793.83

  —

  1 Ex officio.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Rwanda and Burundi
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has to increase assistance to(a) Rwanda and (b) Burundi. [9180]

  Mr. Hanley
  [pursuant to his reply 15 January 1996, c. 364]The reply should have read:282
  "Since October 1993, Britain has committed£53 million in bilateral emergency and rehabilitation assistance to Rwanda, including Rwandan refugees in neighbouring countries. Total assistance provided over the same period including the UK share of assistance provided by the European Community is£95 million."

  Health Programmes
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government have taken since the international conference on population and development held in Cairo in 1994 to implement the agreements reached, with special reference to the allocation of more resources for reproductive health programmes. [16204]

  Mr. Hanley
  The Government continue to encourage a more effective international response to agreements reached in Cairo, especially from multilateral agencies. A total of£184 million of United Kingdom aid was committed for reproductive health in the two years 1994 and 1995. Of this total,£139 million will be passed through the bilateral programmes, including non-governmental organisations, and the balance through international agencies. To improve further the effectiveness of the UK's response to the Cairo conference, we have intensified technology development and research work and initiated a seedcorn fund to test innovative approaches for improving reproductive health.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, in which ways the Government's policy has changed in respect of overseas reproductive and sexual health programmes since the agreements reached at the Cairo conference in 1994. [16205]

  Mr. Hanley
  The Government's policy in this area supports the programme of action agreed in Cairo in 1994, and has not altered since then. The approaches used to implement the policy are under continuous review to ensure that UK aid is as effective as possible in enabling more people to access reproductive health information and services.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of aid is currently given to develop reproductive and sexual health projects in overseas countries. [16203]

  Mr. Hanley
  In 1994, 2.3 per cent. of the aid for which a breakdown is available was invested in population and reproductive health activities. The figure for 1995 is not yet available.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Attorney-General what was the cost of the allocation of persons in his Department to the consideration of the Government's response to the Scott inquiry. [16573]

  The Attorney-General
  Access to the report itself prior to publication was restricted to a very small number of officials in my Departments in accordance with the procedures agreed with the Scott inquiry. No records are kept of the proportion of time spent by persons in my
  283
  Departments in considering the Government's response to the Scott inquiry in the course of their duties. It is not therefore possible to estimate the costs incurred.

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Attorney-General what communication he received from the secretary of the Scott inquiry, concerning the time needed by the Opposition parties to scrutinise the Scott report; on what date he received such communications; what was the nature of the contents of letters; and if he will deposit copies of those letters in the Library. [16631]

  The Attorney-General
  I have had no such communications from Mr. Muttukumaru.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Attorney-General what steps he will take as a result of the finding of the Scott inquiry that his advice to Ministers about signing public interest immunity certificates was based on a fundamental misconception of the principles of PII law. [16648]

  The Attorney-General
  The advice I gave on PH at the time of the Matrix Churchill trial was entirely in accordance with the law as it then stood. It was based on careful, detailed advice from a team of distinguished independent practitioners, was fully supported by the case law, and has been publicly endorsed by three of the defence counsel and a number of other eminent commentators.

  Since the Matrix Churchill trial the decision of the House of Lords in Ex parte Wiley (1994) has brought about a change in the law on PII. The Government will consider carefully the recommendations on the subject made in the Scott report.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list the members of his Department who saw the report of the Scott inquiry before it was presented to the House; and when each saw the report. 116530]

  The Attorney-General
  A very small number of civil servants in my Departments had access to the report prior to publication for the purpose of preparing the Government's response. Such access was in accordance with the conditions laid down by the Scott inquiry.

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Attorney-General how he responded to communications received from Mr. Christopher Muttukumaru; what were the dates of letters; and if he will deposit copies in the Library. [16548]

  The Attorney-General
  I and my officials have responded to a number of letters from Mr. Muttukumaru. Sir Richard Scott is free to publish any document he considers relevant to his report, consistent with his procedures. I understand that he proposes to do this as soon as possible.

  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Attorney-General how many persons and at what level in his Department were involved in considering the Government's response to the report of the Scott inquiry. [16559]

  The Attorney-General
  I refer to the answer given by the Prime Minister today.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Attorney-General at what hour and minute of which day the report of the Scott inquiry was delivered to his office. [16501]
  284
  The Attorney-General
  During the afternoon of Wednesday, 7 February 1996.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Attorney-General when he first saw the report of the Scott inquiry. [16587]

  The Attorney-General
  Wednesday, 7 February 1996.

  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make changes in the personnel of his Department following criticisms contained in the report of the Scott inquiry. [16569]

  The Attorney-General
  I do not envisage making such changes. Where officials criticised in the Scott report had acted conscientiously, in good faith and in accordance with Government policy, it would not normally be appropriate to take disciplinary action against them. If there are cases where disciplinary action is considered appropriate this would be carried out under normal departmental disciplinary procedure.

  Public Interest Immunity Certificates
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list the criminal trials since 1966 at which Governments have invoked public interest immunity certificates on the basis of(a) class claim and (b) contents claim; and on what external legal advice he instructed Ministers that they must sign the PH certificates in the case of (i) Matrix Churchill and (ii) Ordtec. [16428]

  The Attorney-General
  No central record is held of public interest immunity certificates signed by Ministers. I list below the criminal cases in which PII certificates are known to have been used, on the basis of information provided by the prosecuting authorities for which I am responsible—the Crown Prosecution Service, the Serious Fraud Office and the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland. In each case an indication is given of whether the claim was made on the basis of contents, class or both. The information has been obtained from those officials likely to have the relevant knowledge, and is not necessary exhaustive.

  1989

  R v Pottle and Randle (Class)

  R v Batley (Class)

  R v Saunders and others (Class)

  1990

  R v Kokabi (Class)

  R v Coren and Greenwood (Class)

  R v Deller, Page and Rycott (Class)

  1991

  R v NatWest Investment Bank Ltd. and others Class)

  1992

  Latimer, Hegan, Bell and Allen v Director of Public Prosecutions
  for Northern Ireland (Class)

  R v Roberts. Davis and Williams (Both)

  R v Bennett (Class)

  285
  1993

  R v Attwell, Donaldson and Style (Both)

  R v Mitchell and Mitchell (Class)

  R v Smith (Both)

  1994

  R v Walker and Aquilina (Class)

  R v Fryers and Jack (Both)

  R v Mackin, Doherty and Macauley (Both)

  R v McMonagle and Heffernan (Both)

  R v Edgar (Class)

  R v McNulty (Both)

  R v Ohadhmaill (Both)

  1995

  R v Murphy (Contents)

  R v Phipps and Nodjoema (Both)

  R v Baalbaki (Both)

  R v Baker, Hay and McCulloch (Both)

  R v Mostafa (Both)

  R v Paget-Harrison (Both)

  Another case (Both)

  The advice which I gave on PII in the Matrix Churchill trial was based on a joint opinion, dated 10 January 1992, from Mr. John Laws, then first junior Treasury counsel, common law, and now a judge of the High Court, Mr. Michael Kalisher QC, chairman of the Criminal Bar Association 1991–93, and Mr. Nicholas Ainley.

  The PII claims upheld by the Court of Appeal in Ordtec were made on the basis of a further joint opinion obtained from Mr. Stephen Richards and Mr. William Charles, first junior Treasury counsel, common law and chancery, dated 9 October 1995, following the decision of the House of Lords in Ex parte Wiley (1994). Copies of both these opinions are in the Library.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Attorney-General what steps he proposes to take in respect of the fact that he does not accept that he was not personally at fault and that the issues that had been raised by Mr. Heseltine's stand on PII certificates did not fall into the category of mundane, routine, run of the mill issues that could probably be left to be dealt with by officials. [16647]

  The Attorney-General
  Sir Richard Scott's criticism of my role results from the fact that he takes a fundamentally different view of the law on public interest immunity. My advice to my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister was given with great care and was fully in accordance with the law as it then stood. It involved the preparation of a specially drafted PII certificate which explained my right hon. Friend's role. The judge saw every document covered by the certificate and duly decided which should be disclosed, exactly as my right hon. Friend had been led to expect. The procedure was entirely fair.

  Press Gallery Writing Rooms
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Attorney-General which Ministers in his Department entered the writing rooms of the Press Gallery on 15 February. [16476]
  286
  The Attorney-General
  If any Minister did so, that is a matter for them.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Rents, Gloucestershire
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list for each local authority in Gloucestershire the range of local reference rents by property type determined by the rent officer service from 2 January to 2 February. [16143]

  Mr. Clappison
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information requested is not yet available. Data on rents determined by rent officers since 2 January, including local reference rents, will be published in the Department's regular publication, "Rent Officer Statistics", which is available on a quarterly basis. I will arrange for the next edition of the bulletin, covering the first quarter of 1996, to be sent to the hon. Member as soon as it is available.

  Child Support Agency
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 30 January,Official Report, column 738, how the totals for reduced benefit directions imposed by each Child Support Agency centre in respect of, (a) good cause accepted, (b) absent parent named and (c) good cause not accepted were arrived at for both the Belfast and Plymouth centres; and what procedures are adopted by his Department in the checking of statistics provided to the hon. Members in written parliamentary questions. [15122]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  This is a matter for the chief executive of the Child Support Agency, Miss Ann Chant. She will write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Letter from Ann Chant to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 22 February 1996:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about reduced benefit directions within the Child Support Agency.
  Having looked again at this set of tables, I can see that for the second time they include an error. Although the monthly entries in the columns you have mentioned are accurate, a mistake has occurred in the totalling of these entries. I am extremely sorry that this error passed unnoticed by me and my colleagues who had prepared the tables: the responsibility for it is mine.
  The Agency always aims to provide prompt and accurate responses to written parliamentary questions, and I cannot recall making one such error before, let alone two on the same set of figures. The procedures for checking statistical information supplied in written answers have been reviewed and made more stringent. This will guard against a similar error being made in future.
  I have enclosed a version of the full tables supplied by way of answer to your Parliamentary Question set out in Official Report, column 738. You will note that the relevant columns do now show their correct totals.
  Once again, please accept my apologies for the trouble you have had obtaining this information.
  287

  Good cause accepted

  Absent parent named

  Good cause not accepted

  Reduced benefit direction implemented

  Investigations completed

  Dudley

  April

  335

  63

  580

  311

  978

  May

  503

  98

  617

  306

  1,218

  June

  450

  243

  820

  389

  1,513

  July

  493

  354

  548

  265

  1,395

  August

  576

  371

  749

  531

  1,696

  September

  541

  370

  599

  464

  1,510

  October

  619

  391

  682

  384

  1,692

  November

  568

  386

  595

  386

  1,549

  Total

  4,085

  2,276

  5,190

  3,036

  11,551

  Hastings

  April

  321

  0

  522

  721

  843

  May

  460

  111

  790

  785

  1,361

  June

  469

  222

  723

  631

  1,414

  July

  544

  219

  679

  466

  1,442

  August

  472

  207

  687

  361

  1,366

  September

  495

  273

  582

  532

  1,350

  October

  555

  300

  727

  836

  1,582

  November

  540

  335

  716

  537

  1,591

  Total

  3,856

  1,667

  5,426

  4,869

  10,949

  Falkirk

  April

  369

  94

  471

  283

  934

  May

  534

  161

  833

  335

  1,528

  June

  626

  345

  944

  242

  1,915

  July

  589

  331

  645

  219

  1,565

  August

  642

  408

  939

  276

  1,989

  September

  633

  448

  862

  306

  1,943

  October

  572

  428

  757

  394

  1,757

  November

  637

  463

  918

  362

  2,018

  Total

  4,602

  2,678

  6,369

  2,417

  13,649

  Plymouth

  April

  340

  100

  452

  276

  892

  May

  467

  112

  617

  458

  1,196

  June

  508

  216

  684

  389

  1,408

  July

  494

  294

  680

  392

  1,468

  August

  438

  259

  575

  373

  1,272

  September

  508

  267

  490

  274

  1,265

  October

  450

  264

  567

  474

  1,281

  November

  641

  364

  559

  341

  1,564

  Total

  3,846

  1,876

  4,624

  2,977

  10,346

  Birkenhead

  April

  389

  96

  470

  510

  955

  May

  556

  185

  615

  511

  1,356

  June

  592

  287

  713

  445

  1,592

  July

  625

  361

  786

  278

  1,772

  August

  582

  334

  637

  430

  1,553

  September

  678

  428

  686

  455

  1,792

  October

  722

  536

  775

  401

  2,033

  November

  801

  567

  951

  382

  2,319

  Total

  4,945

  2,794

  5,633

  3,412

  13,372

  Belfast

  April

  418

  137

  540

  260

  1,095

  May

  599

  195

  740

  473

  1,534

  June

  488

  271

  689

  250

  1,448

  July

  544

  427

  680

  393

  1,651

  August

  631

  425

  744

  392

  1,800

  September

  668

  526

  805

  336

  1,999

  October

  624

  561

  736

  347

  1,921

  November

  676

  780

  789

  300

  2,245

  Total

  4,648

  3,322

  5,723

  2,751

  13,693

  288 289
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what targets are set by the Child Support Agency for time taken to reply to correspondence; and what progress has been made in attaining target levels. [15747]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Miss Ann Chant. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Ann Chant to Mr. David Hinchliffe, dated February 1996:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about targets set by the Child Support Agency for the time taken to reply to correspondence.
  The only firm target the Agency has for correspondence is the Departmental target of replying to MPs' letters within 20 working days. The table below shows the performance against this target, highlighting the improvements achieved in this area.

  Chief Executive replies to MPs' letters

  Percentage

  1–20 days

  21–40 days

  Over 40 days

  September 1994

  14

  55

  31

  May 1995

  56

  44

  0

  December 1995

  60

  40

  0

  The Agency currently has a charter standard to reply to written enquiries from the public "within 10 working days". This is being revised. During 1994/95, the Agency replied to 35% of written enquiries within the charter standard. In 1995/96, the figure to the end of December was almost 40%.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Disability
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the percentage of claimants of(a) severe disablement allowance, and (b) incapacity benefit currently undertaking limited paid work on the grounds that the work is (i) voluntary and (ii) therapeutic. [16083]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the total contribution for each London borough paid from local authority sources in each of the past five years. 115946]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The information requested is insufficient for the purposes of providing an answer.

  Departmental officials have tried unsuccessfully on four occasions to contact the hon. Member on my behalf in order to obtain clarification.

  National Insurance Contributions
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the rates of employer national insurance contributions since 1979, the amount of revenue raised by these contributions in each year and the total of the increase in revenue resulting from changes in the employer rate. [15771]

  Mr. Heald
  The available information is in the table:290

  Year

  Employer national insurance1 rates at 6 April each year Percentage

  Revenue raised4 £ billion

  1979–80

  213.5

  9.83

  1980–81

  213.7

  11.51

  1981–82

  213.7

  12.24

  1982–83

  213.7

  12.20

  1983–84

  211.95

  12.06

  1984–85

  211.45

  11.94

  1985–86

  310.45

  12.35

  1986–87

  10.45

  13.51

  9.0

  7.0

  5.0

  1987–88

  10.45

  14.95

  9.0

  7.0

  5.0

  1988–89

  10.45

  16.95

  9.0

  7.0

  5.0

  1989–90

  10.45

  19.14

  9.0

  7.0

  5.0

  1990–91

  10.45

  20.9

  9.0

  7.0

  5.0

  1991–92

  10.4

  21.77

  8.6

  6.6

  4.6

  1992–93

  10.4

  21.19

  8.6

  6.6

  4.6

  1993–94

  10.4

  23.08

  8.6

  6.6

  4.6

  1994–95

  10.2

  23.36

  7.6

  5.6

  3.6

  1995–96

  10.2

  5624.33

  7.0

  5.0

  3.0

  Notes:

  1Not contracted-out rates shown. The level of the contracted-out rebate for the period shown was

  4.5 per cent. 1979–80 to 1982–83

  4.1 per cent. 1983–84 to 1987–88

  3.8 per cent. 1988–89 to 1992–93

  3.0 per cent. 1993–94 to 1995–96

  2 Includes the national insurance surcharge which was abolished October 1984.

  3 The upper earnings limit for employers' contributions was abolished and reduced rates for employers of the lower paid were introduced from October 1985.

  4 Figures have been subject to rounding.

  5 Estimate taken from the Government Actuary's report on the Benefits up-rating and Contributions re-rating Orders, published February 1996. Cm 3149.

  6 If the employers' contribution structure, rates and level of contracted-out rebates in force in 1979–80 and applied in 1995–96. employers would have paid about£5.6 billion more in national insurance contributions for that year.

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department.

  Benefit Claims
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance has been issued to agents of his Department when assessing benefit claims for(a) myalgic encephalomyelitis and (b) fibromyalgia sufferers. [15748]

  Mr. Burt
  This is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. David Hinchliffe, dated 21 February 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what guidance has been issued to agents of his Department when assessing benefit claims for (a) Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and (b) fibromyalgia sufferers.
  The Benefits Agency (BA) employs doctors through the BA Medical Services, who are trained in all physical, sensory and mental conditions including ME and fibromyalgia. Entitlement to benefit is decided by independent adjudication officers, who can seek the opinion of these doctors.
  Various publications containing procedural guidance on the processing of claims are available to BA staff. These include Background Information on Incapacity for Work and the Disability Handbook which provide information on specific disabilities including ME and fibromyalgia, additionally they advise staff when to seek guidance from BAMS. The Disability Handbook is currently being redrafted following discussions with the ME Association. The Short Term Benefits Guide also provides procedural guidance regarding ME and fibromyalgia for BA staff.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  £ million

  Year

  1978–79

  1985–86

  1989–90

  1994–95

  Long-term sick and disabled1

  1,770

  5,220

  8,420

  19,600

  Long-term sick and disabled2

  5,162

  8,095

  10,544

  19,600

  1 Figures are in cash prices.

  2 Figures are in real-terms (1994–95 prices).

  An explanation of increases in expenditure is not available in the format requested. The increases are due to increasing caseloads and average amounts. Individuals may also be entitled to receive more than one benefit from within this group.

  In 1992 disability living allowance and disability working allowance were introduced, which added£3,129 million to expenditure in 1994–95. The increase in the real value of benefits from 1978–79 to 1994–95 accounts for a further£3,392 million.

  Number of cases where fraud established

  Benefit savings

  Prosecutions

  Overpayments

  1994–95

  2,345

  £4,324,451

  149

  £58,309

  1995–31 January 1996

  1,518

  £4,402,524

  104

  £124,201

  Bronchitis and Emphysema Report
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he received the report from the industrial injuries advisory Council on chronic bronchitis and emphysema; if he will place a copy in the Library; when he expects to respond to the advisory Council's report; and if he will make a statement. [15749]

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many of those failing to attend the medical examination for incapacity benefit applied on the basis of mental health problems; and what percentage of the total this represents; [15867]

  (2) how many of those failing to return the incapacity benefit questionnaire are applying on the basis of mental health problems; and what percentage of the total this represents. [15866]

  (3) how many of those appealing against the result of the all-work test for incapacity benefit applied for the benefit on the basis of mental health problems; and what percentage of the total this represents. [15865]

  Mr. Burt
  The information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Long-term Sick and Disabled People
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Bradford, North (Mr. Rooney) on 12 February 1996,Official Report, column 476, if he will represent the data in real terms, and to what extent the increase in the number of long-term sick and disabled is due to (a) the number of claimants to existing schemes, (b) new claimants to new benefits and (c) an increase in the real value of benefits. [15828]

  Mr. Burt
  The information is set out in the table.

  Fraud, Northumberland
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Blyth Valley (Mr. Campbell) on 12 February 1996,Official Report, column 471, if he will give (a) equivalent figures for Newcastle upon Tyne and (b) the sums of benefit subject to recovery. [16150]

  Mr. Heald
  The information is in the table. Figures for organised fraud investigations are not available locally.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The report has not yet been received. I understand that the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council expects to submit it within the next few weeks. A copy will be placed in the Library when the report is published, normally within three months of receipt.

  The Government will consider carefully any recommendations the council may make.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been(a) the total level of housing benefit paid out and (b) the number of recipients in each London borough for each of the past five years. [15931]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The available information is set out in the tables:

  Table 1: Average number of housing benefit recipients in London boroughs

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Barking and Dagenham

  8,500

  14,300

  14,600

  15,400

  16,400

  Barnet

  8,500

  13,200

  14,800

  16,900

  19,000

  Bexley

  5,300

  8,300

  8,900

  9,900

  10,000

  Brent

  14,200

  18,500

  22,200

  27,200

  32,000

  Bromley

  7,800

  12,400

  13,500

  14,600

  15,600

  Camden

  16,300

  23,400

  25,900

  30,800

  32,600

  City of London

  700

  900

  600

  1,100

  1,100

  Croydon

  10,700

  16,800

  20,000

  22,100

  23,700

  Ealing

  12,400

  18,600

  16,900

  20,400

  24,300

  Enfield

  9,000

  14,200

  15,500

  17,300

  18,000

  Greenwich

  12,700

  18,800

  21,000

  23,900

  25,500

  Hackney

  21,200

  25,900

  32,300

  35,500

  37,500

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  12,600

  17,200

  18,700

  20,500

  22,500

  Haringey

  16,900

  31,100

  35,800

  37,500

  38,500

  Harrow

  4,100

  6,900

  7,800

  9,100

  10,000

  Havering

  5,800

  9,900

  10,400

  10,800

  13,900

  Hillingdon

  5,600

  10,100

  11,500

  13,400

  14,800

  Hounslow

  7,000

  10,600

  10,500

  12,000

  16,700

  Islington

  16,000

  23,900

  27,300

  27,100

  30,100

  Kensington and Chelsea

  9,500

  11,400

  13,200

  15,500

  17,600

  Kingston upon Thames

  3,100

  6,000

  6,300

  6,800

  7,400

  Lambeth

  22,400

  29,600

  34,700

  37,900

  42,800

  Lewisham

  19,600

  31,400

  34,100

  33,000

  36,100

  Mellon

  5,400

  9,900

  10,900

  11,600

  12,100

  Newham

  15,800

  27,500

  29,600

  34,800

  35,800

  Redbridge

  6,300

  10,300

  11,100

  12,300

  13,500

  Richmond upon Thames

  4,500

  8,000

  8,100

  8,700

  9,600

  Southwark

  20,600

  26,500

  30,200

  35,300

  40,600

  Sutton

  4,700

  8,200

  8,900

  9,600

  10,300

  Tower Hamlets

  19,800

  26,500

  28,600

  30,400

  32,100

  Waltham Forest

  11,600

  15,700

  17,600

  19,400

  19,300

  Wandsworth

  16,300

  24,800

  26,300

  29,500

  29,700

  Westminster

  11,200

  16,500

  18,600

  20,200

  22,400

  Source:

  Housing Benefit Management Information System.

  Figures given are an average of four quarters in each year.

  Table 2: Housing benefit expenditure in London boroughs

  £ millions

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Barking and Dagenham

  10.300

  12.600

  17.200

  21,600

  28.000

  Barnet

  19.500

  24.500

  32.100

  44.100

  59.500

  Bexley

  8.900

  10.800

  14.100

  20.100

  26.900

  Brent

  42.600

  50.900

  63.500

  85.700

  110.100

  Bromley

  17.400

  21.000

  27.600

  34.000

  41.600

  Camden

  41.200

  53.900

  67.100

  87.300

  104.700

  City of London

  1.400

  1.700

  2.000

  2.400

  2.800

  Croydon

  21.200

  29.900

  46.700

  58.200

  73.900

  Ealing

  36.000

  41.600

  56.600

  78.900

  104.800

  Enfield

  21.900

  27.000

  37.100

  45.800

  52.400

  Greenwich

  27.200

  30.900

  44.000

  55.700

  67.300

  Hackney

  40.000

  58.200

  89.000

  114.500

  144.200

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  33.600

  36.600

  48.200

  57.300

  69.900

  Haringey

  53.000

  41.300

  105.400

  117.300

  131.400

  Harrow

  10.200

  13.100

  19.500

  26.300

  33.900

  Havering

  11.000

  14.000

  16.100

  20.100

  24.900

  Hillingdon

  11.900

  15.300

  23.900

  35.000

  45.900

  Hounslow

  13.900

  15.800

  23.100

  33.700

  44.700

  Islington

  33.300

  42.100

  66.500

  75.400

  94.300

  Kensington and Chelsea

  21.300

  24.100

  34.700

  48.700

  64.600

  Kingston upon Thames

  8.000

  10.200

  14.400

  18.500

  23.700

  Lambeth

  40.400

  47.600

  66.900

  90.600

  114.300

  Lewisham

  33.300

  41.900

  54.800

  68.000

  86.000

  294

  Table 2: Housing benefit expenditure in London boroughs

  £ millions

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Merton

  12.500

  18.100

  24.700

  29.700

  34.500

  Newham

  33.300

  47.600

  64.100

  81.100

  105.300

  Redbridge

  17.200

  25.100

  35.500

  44.400

  50.300

  Richmond upon Thames

  9.700

  12.300

  16.600

  21.400

  26.100

  Southwark

  42.900

  97.400

  70.000

  92.600

  108.200

  Sutton

  9.800

  11.700

  16.600

  21.000

  25.400

  Tower Hamlets

  44.200

  50.100

  70.000

  70.000

  70.300

  Waltham Forest

  20.000

  24.900

  36.100

  45.300

  54.000

  Wandsworth

  38.800

  46.800

  62.800

  79.300

  98.100

  Westminster

  35.700

  43.200

  61.600

  88.700

  114.200

  Sources:

  Audited accounts provided to the Departments of Social Security and Environment.

  Audited accounts for 1994–95 are not yet available.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total cost of administration of housing benefit for each London borough in the last financial year; and what proportion of this was borne by central Government for each borough. [15932]

  Mr. Evans
  The latest available information is set out in the table.

  £ thousand

  London borough

  Administration costs

  Barking and Dagenham

  643

  Barnet

  2,411

  Bexley

  510

  Brent

  3,149

  Bromley

  1,466

  Camden

  4,722

  City

  205

  Croydon

  1,784

  Ealing

  2,946

  Enfield

  2,383

  Greenwich

  2,923

  Hackney

  2,872

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  3,192

  Haringey

  2,561

  Harrow

  885

  Havering

  453

  Hillingdon

  1,724

  Hounslow

  2,264

  Islington

  3,111

  Kensington and Chelsea

  2,971

  Kingston upon Thames

  596

  Lambeth

  3,694

  Lewisham

  3,618

  Merton

  612

  Newham

  3,698

  Redbridge

  1,330

  Richmond upon Thames

  737

  Southwark

  2,543

  Sutton

  774

  Tower Hamlets

  2,039

  Waltham Forest

  1,903

  Wandsworth

  1,815

  Westminster

  5,224

  Note:

  No figures are available for the proportion of Housing Benefit administration costs met by Central Government. This is because half of the subsidy is distributed by the Department for the Environment, via the Revenue Support Grant. This does not specify the exact amount attributable to Housing Benefit.

  Source:

  Department for the Environment return 'RO4 Housing Benefit, Sports and Other' 1994–95.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which(a) have a statutory base, (b) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and (c) hold open meetings for the public; and if in each case this is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntarily. [16178]

  Mr. Heald
  The Occupational Pensions Board is the only executive non-departmental public body sponsored by this Department. Its statutory base is in the Pensions Schemes Act 1993. There is no statutory requirement to admit members of the public to board or committee meetings, nor is it the practice to do so. There is a statutory requirement, under the provisions of the Occupational Pensions Board (Determinations and Review Procedure) Regulations 1973 to hold public hearings, in connection with reviews of the board's determinations, unless the board for any special reasons directs otherwise. If such a hearing is held privately, a member of the Council on Tribunals is entitled to attend.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the members of his Department who saw the report of the Scott inquiry before it was presented to the House; and when each saw the report. [16534]

  Mr. Lilley
  No members of this Department saw the report of the Scott inquiry before it was published.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he first saw the report of the Scott inquiry. [16583]

  Mr. Lilley
  At 3.30 pm on 15 February.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security at what hour and minute of which day the report of the Scott inquiry was delivered to his office. [16497]
  296
  Mr. Lilley
  Copies of the report of the Scott inquiry were delivered to my office shortly before noon on 15 February. The copies were in sealed packages which were not opened until 3.30 pm.

  Press Gallery Writing Rooms
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which Ministers in his Department entered the writing rooms of the Press Gallery on 15 February. [16474]

  Mr. Lilley
  If any Ministers did so, that is a matter for them.

LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will list the members of his Department who saw the report of the Scott inquiry before it was presented to the House; and when each saw the report. [16537]

  Mr. Newton
  None.

  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many persons and at what level in his Department were involved in considering the Government's response to the report of the Scott inquiry. [16561]

  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what was the cost of the allocation of persons in his Department to the consideration of the Government's response to the Scott inquiry. [16599]

  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will make changes in the personnel of his Department following criticisms contained in the report of the Scott inquiry. [16571]

  Mr. Newton
  I refer to the answer given by the Prime Minister today.

  Questions of Procedure for Ministers
  Questions of Procedure for Ministers
  Scott Report
  Scott Report
  NHS Wheelchair Service
  NHS Wheelchair Service
  Bank of England Meetings: Minutes
  Bank of England Meetings: Minutes
  Pension Splitting on Divorce: Proposal
  Pension Splitting on Divorce: Proposal
  Armed Forces Review: Report
  Armed Forces Review: Report
  Russian Federation: Council of Europe Membership
  Russian Federation: Council of Europe Membership
  Prevention of Terrorism Legislation: Report
  Prevention of Terrorism Legislation: Report
  National Poisons Unit
  National Poisons Unit